STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2893

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2975

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2975, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Department of Land and Natural Resources to:

(1) Close all or portions of any marine life conservation district on Oahu for various periods of time; and

(2) Adopt rules for the regulation of commercial activity within a marine life conservation district on Oahu.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hui Aloha Kīholo, Ocean Tourism Coalition, Friends of Hanauma Bay, Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, The Nature Conservancy Hawaiʻi and Palmyra, Hawaiʻi Food+ Policy, and six individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that the number of visitors to certain marine life conservation districts has increased over time, leading to declining ecosystem conditions, such as reduced fish abundance, decreased species richness, and worsening coral health. This measure would enable the Department of Land and Natural Resources to exercise greater control over visitor numbers and commercial activities to protect and preserve certain marine life conservation districts.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2975, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

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JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair