HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2552

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO OCEAN RESOURCES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Pohoiki Bay on the island of Hawaii is an attraction for commercial boat tours to view lava flows, a source of livelihood for fishers, and an important cultural and recreational site for many local residents.  There are user conflicts among the commercial boat tours, fishers, and the non-commercial users of Pohoiki Bay.

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

     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 the 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.

     SECTION 4.  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.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.


 


 

Report Title:

Fishing; Commercial Tour Boats; Study; Pohoiki Bay

 

Description:

Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to conduct a study of Pohoiki Bay in order 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 HD1)

 

 

 

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