HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

117

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO MARINE RESOURCES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that motorized recreational vessels that operate at excessive speeds can create turbulence and wake and can endanger the life and limb of individuals who use the ocean for recreation and subsistence.

     The wake created by recreational vessels travelling at excessive speeds also can harm small marine species, increase shoreline erosion, and damage critical shoreline habitat, thereby causing harm to the nearshore environment and decreasing the value of the marine resource.

     The legislature finds that reduced speeds do not cause a wake, which minimizes damage to marine life and ocean ecosystem and lessens the probability of collisions involving recreation vessels and humans.

     The purpose of this Act is to protect marine resources, including ocean and shoreline ecosystems, from actual harm and to increase the value of marine resources for recreational and subsistence ocean users by requiring all motorized recreational vessels in nearshore waters to travel at reduced speeds that cause no wake within specified no wake zones that are established at certain beaches with a high volume of recreational ocean users.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 200, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§200-    No wake zones; establishment; motorized recreational vessels; speed.  (a)  Except as necessary for the protection of public health and safety, no person shall operate a motorized recreational vessel within a no wake zone established pursuant to this section:

     (1)  So as to cause a wake; or

     (2)  At a speed in excess of five miles per hour.

     (b)  The department shall establish no wake zones at:

     (1)  Kaanapali, Maui, from the southern boundary of Hanakaoo beach park to the northern boundary of Honokowai beach park;

     (2)  Kailua, Oahu, for the entire shoreline of Kailua bay and Lanikai, from the north end of Kailua beach to the south end of Lanikai beach; and

     (3)  Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, from Kailua pier to the rock point that fronts the parcel currently known as Royal Kona Resort.

A no wake zone shall encompass the area extending seaward seven hundred and fifty feet from the shoreline."

     SECTION 3.  Section 200-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

""Shoreline" has the same meaning as defined in section 205A-1."

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

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



 

Report Title:

Marine Resources; Recreational Vessels; No-wake Zones

 

Description:

Requires all motorized recreational vessels operating in nearshore waters to observe no-wake zones at specified beaches.  (HB117 HD2)

 

 

 

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