HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2552
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO OCEAN RESOURCES.

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

PART I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Pohoiki Bay and Keauhou Bay on the island of Hawaii are attractions for commercial boat tours, sources of livelihood for fishers, and important cultural and recreational sites for many local residents, including Native Hawaiians exercising gathering and subsistence rights.  There are user conflicts among the commercial boat tours, fishers, and noncommercial users of Pohoiki Bay and Keauhou Bay.

     The purpose of this Act is to direct the department of land and natural resources to study the Pohoiki Bay and Keauhou Bay areas to resolve the conflicts among commercial boat tours, fishers, and noncommercial users, including Native Hawaiians exercising gathering and subsistence rights, of Pohoiki Bay and Keauhou Bay.

PART II

     SECTION 2.  The department of land and natural resources shall conduct a study of Pohoiki Bay on the island of Hawaii for the purpose of resolving the conflicts among commercial boat tours and fishers, individuals exercising gathering and subsistence rights, and recreational users at Pohoiki Bay.  The study shall evaluate:

     (1)  Current rules and regulations applicable to commercial tour boats and fishing at Pohoiki Bay;

     (2)  The magnitude of use of Pohoiki Bay;

     (3)  Ocean-based recreation and coastal area programs; and

     (4)  Any other matters relevant to resolving conflict among Native Hawaiians exercising traditional gathering and subsistence rights, recreational users, and commercial tour boats and fishers that use Pohoiki Bay.

     SECTION 3.  The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report of its study, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2015.

PART III

     SECTION 4.  The department of land and natural resources shall conduct a study of Keauhou Bay on the island of Hawaii for the purpose of resolving the conflicts among commercial boat tours and fishers, individuals exercising gathering and subsistence rights, and recreational users at Keauhou Bay.  The study shall evaluate:

     (1)  Current rules and regulations applicable to commercial tour boats and fishing at Keauhou Bay;

     (2)  The magnitude of use of Keauhou Bay;

     (3)  Ocean-based recreation and coastal area programs; and

     (4)  Any other matters relevant to resolving conflict among Native Hawaiians exercising traditional gathering and subsistence rights, recreational users, and commercial tour boats and fishers that use Keauhou Bay.

     SECTION 5.  The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report of its study, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2015.

PART IV

     SECTION 6.  The department of land and natural resources shall expend so much of the royalties it receives from geothermal resource mining leases as is necessary to establish and maintain one conservation enforcement officer position in the division of conservation and resource enforcement for the area of Pohoiki Bay on the island of Hawaii.

PART V

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Natural Resources; Studies; Pohoiki Bay; Keauhou Bay

Description:

Directs DLNR to conduct studies of Pohoiki Bay and Keauhou Bay on Hawaii Island to resolve conflicts among the users of the Bay.  Requires DLNR to establish a DOCARE position for the Pohoiki Bay area to be funded through geothermal royalties.  (HB2552 HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.