THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2972
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 2

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO OAHU CORAL REEF RESTORATION.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that herbivorous reef fish species are essential to maintaining the health and resilience of state coral reefs. However, the legislature notes that the population of coral reef herbivores, while declining throughout the State, is especially threatened by the impacts of the high human population density of the island of Oahu.

The legislature recognizes that the department of land and natural resources has implemented the Holomua marine initiative in consultation with fishers, cultural practitioners, and community representatives to address nearshore issues, including the decline of herbivorous reef species, and develop statewide strategies for the successful stewardship of nearshore waters. While the Holomua marine initiative has implemented and established several improvements to the well-being of nearshore ecosystems, the initiative has not yet adopted Oahu-specific regulations pursuant to rules adopted by the board of land and natural resources that will restore populations of herbivorous reef species to levels that prevent seaweed from smothering the coral reefs.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources' division of aquatic resources to begin the Holomua marine initiative process no later than July 1, 2027, to address coral reef restoration on Oahu.

SECTION 2. The department of land and natural resources' division of aquatic resources shall begin the Holomua marine initiative process no later than July 1, 2027, to address coral reef restoration on Oahu.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Holomua Marine Initiative; DLNR; DAR; Oahu Coral Reef Restoration

Description:

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources to begin the Holomua Marine Initiative process no later than 7/1/2027 to address coral reef restoration on Oahu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

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