Proposed New Bill

Aloha Good People!

Here is a draft of a "new" bill that basically combines both the State Mammal & Day Designation into one. We think by making this change and having it in front of the conference committee we have a good chance of getting this through sooner than 2025! Please feel free and comment we are looking for feed back.

A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is the only marine mammal whose entire species range lies within the United States. It is one of only two endemic mammals found in Hawaii.

On November 23, 1976, it was listed as an endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act and it remains listed as endangered today. The population of the Hawaiian monk seal has been in a twenty-year constant decline and today there are approximately only twelve hundred remaining. The majority of this population is in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, while there are an estimated eighty individuals living in the main Hawaiian Islands.

In 1979, the legislature designated the humpback whale as the official marine mammal of the State. Part of the purpose for doing so was to increase awareness about the humpback whale, which was on the brink of extinction in the sixties. As a result of an increase in awareness regarding the humpback whale, its numbers have markedly increased. A purpose in designating the Hawaiian monk seal as the official state mammal is to raise awareness of it as an endangered species with the hope that this awareness will, like the humpback whale, result in increased protection and its repopulation.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries issued its Recovery Plan for the Hawaiian Monk Seal in 2007. The plan outlines strategies for the recovery of the species and includes an increase in outreach and education to develop a culture of co-existence between humans and seals in the main Hawaiian Islands.

The purpose of this Act is to recognize the importance and uniqueness of the Hawaiian monk seal to the Hawaiian Islands by establishing and designating the Hawaiian monk seal as the official state mammal, and establishing and designating an annual Hawaiian monk seal day to promote outreach and educational programs regarding the endangered Hawaiian monk seal.

SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§5‑ State mammal. The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) is established and designated as the official mammal of the State."

SECTION 3. Chapter 8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§8‑ Hawaiian monk seal day. The third Saturday of April in each year shall be known and recognized as "Hawaiian Monk Seal Day"; provided that this day is not and shall not be construed to be a state holiday."

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.


INTRODUCED BY:
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INTRODUCED BY:
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