§190D-2  Findings and purpose.  Article
XI of the constitution of the State of Hawaii relating to the conservation,
control, and development of resources, provides in section 6 that the State
shall have the power to manage and control the marine, seabed, and other
resources located within the boundaries of the State, including its
archipelagic waters, and reserves to the State all such rights outside state
boundaries not specifically limited by federal or international law.



The legislature finds that the State's marine
waters offer the people of Hawaii sources of energy, minerals, food, and usable
space.  The legislature further finds that the proper management and
development of these ocean resources require defined rights of usage and
tenure.



The purpose of this chapter is to establish
procedures for the leasing of state marine waters and to guarantee property
rights and protection for any activities approved under these procedures. [L
1986, c 91, pt of §1; am L 1999, c 176, §§2, 11; am L 2002, c 203, §1]