HB 1423: RELATING TO HANALEI BAY.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HANALEI BAY.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hanalei Bay is known for its character as a quiet recreational area for families and visitors to participate in ocean activities, including surfing, swimming, paddle boarding, sailing, and kayaking.  The legislature further finds that there has been a growing increase in the number of large vessels, including yachts and ships, mooring in Hanalei Bay, posing a risk to the health and safety of individuals and families participating in ocean activities in the bay.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to preserve the quiet recreational character of Hanalei Bay and protect the safety of residents and visitors who use the bay for water activities by restricting the size of vessels permitted to enter Hanalei Bay and requiring the board of land and natural resources to define the boundaries of Hanalei Bay by rule.

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

     "§200-     Hanalei Bay; vessel restrictions.  No vessel more than seventy-five feet in length shall enter Hanalei Bay waters, the boundaries of which shall be defined by the board in rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91; provided that this section shall not apply to vessels operated by a federal, state, or county agency."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July, 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Board of Land and Natural Resources; Hanalei Bay; Boundaries; Vessel Restrictions; Exemptions

Description:

Prohibits vessels longer than seventy-five feet from entering Hanalei Bay except for vessels operated by a federal, state, or county agency.  Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to define boundaries of Hanalei Bay by rule.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Hanalei Bay.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hanalei Bay is known for its character as a quiet recreational area for families and visitors to participate in ocean activities, including surfing, swimming, paddle boarding, sailing, and kayaking.  The legislature further finds that there has been a growing increase in the number of large vessels, including yachts and ships, mooring in Hanalei Bay, posing a risk to the health and safety of individuals and families participating in ocean activities in the bay.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Preserve the quiet recreational character of Hanalei Bay; and

     (2)  Protect the safety of residents and visitors who use the bay for water activities;

by restricting the size of vessels permitted to enter Hanalei Bay.

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

     "§200-     Hanalei Bay; vessel restrictions.  No vessel more than seventy-five feet in length shall enter Hanalei Bay waters, the boundary of which shall be defined by the board pursuant to chapter 91; provided that this section shall not apply to vessels operated by a federal, state, or county agency."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Board of Land and Natural Resources; Hanalei Bay; Vessel Restriction

Description:

Prohibits vessels longer than 75 feet from entering Hanalei Bay.  Exempts vessels operated by a federal, state, or county agency.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  709

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1423

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1423 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HANALEI BAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to preserve the quiet recreational character of Hanalei Bay and protect the safety of residents and visitors who use the bay for water activities by restricting the size of vessels permitted to enter Hanalei Bay and requiring the Board of Land and Natural Resources to define the boundaries of Hanalei Bay by rule.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Kauaʻi; one member of the Kauaʻi County Council; Hanalei-Wainiha-Hāʻena Community Association; and Hanalei Watershed Hui.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that in recent years, several large vessels have moored in Hanalei Bay, greatly disrupting the quiet enjoyment of the waters by other residents and visitors and posing a health and safety risk to those partaking in ocean activities in Hanalei Bay.  Your Committee further finds that although Hanalei Bay has designated recreational mooring available on a seasonal basis, it cannot safely accommodate large vessels.  Your Committee believes that clearly prohibiting these large vessels from entering Hanalei Bay will protect the health and safety of all users of Hanalei Bay.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1423, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1423, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,