SR 28: requesting the establishment of a marine life conservation district carrying capacity study task force to develop a statewide implementation plan.

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	28
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the establishment of a marine life conservation district carrying capacity study task force to develop a statewide implementation plan.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the State's marine life conservation districts protect vital marine ecosystems and support cultural practices, recreation, education, and local livelihoods; and

 

     WHEREAS, increasing human use of nearshore areas, including activities considered non-extractive, can significantly affect marine ecosystems and resource health; and

 

     WHEREAS, understanding human-use thresholds and ecological response is essential to ensure marine life conservation districts are effectively managed and protected; and

 

     WHEREAS, carrying capacity studies are a critical tool for informing science-based management and long-term sustainability; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources' community-driven Holomua Marine Initiative identifies monitoring, which includes measuring conditions, tracking management outcomes, and using data to guide adaptive management, as a core pillar of improved marine management statewide; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State would benefit from a coordinated, phased, and prioritized approach to conducting marine life conservation districts carrying capacity studies; and

 

     WHEREAS, the collaborative management, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement associated with the Carrying Capacity Pilot Program for the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District, which was established by Act 31, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022, demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated partnerships among government agencies, researchers, community groups, and ocean users, and provide a successful model that may be adopted for marine life conservation districts statewide; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to convene and provide administrative support for a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Study Task Force (Task Force); and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to develop a comprehensive statewide implementation framework to guide the future establishment of a Marine Life Conservation District Carrying Capacity Program (Program); and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to:

 

     (1)  Build an interdisciplinary planning framework for conducting marine life conservation districts carrying capacity studies;

 

     (2)  Develop a prioritized list and recommended sequencing for studies across marine life conservation districts statewide;

 

     (3)  Establish recommended study design standards, timelines, and update intervals;

 

     (4)  Identify staffing, technical, and administrative needs to implement the Program; and

 

     (5)  Identify and recommend necessary legislative appropriations, funding mechanisms, and resource requirements to establish and sustain the Program; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is encouraged to include or invite representatives or designees from:

 

     (1)  The Department of Land and Natural Resources;

 

     (2)  County governments;

 

     (3)  The University of Hawaiʻi;

 

     (4)  Community-based marine resource stewardship organizations;

 

     (5)  Commercial ocean recreation operators that operate in marine life conservation districts, including scuba and snorkel charter operators and surf schools; and

 

     (6)  Other subject matter experts and stakeholders identified by the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is urged to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation with appropriations for the formal establishment of the Program, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Mayor of each county of the State, and President of the University of Hawaiʻi.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title: 

DLNR; DAR; UH; MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY TASK FORCE; PLAN; REPORT