STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2945

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3173

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3173 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CULTURAL EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to ensure that commercial permittees operating out of Lahaina Harbor have a broader understanding of Lahaina, Maui's cultural and historic significance.

Specifically, the measure mandates cultural education for Lahaina's commercial use permit applicants and holders through a three-year pilot program to be administered by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, in partnership with an organization to be designated by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Oiwi Resources of the County of Maui, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce and Trilogy Excursions.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that educating commercial use holders about the cultural and historic significance of Lahaiana Harbor, as proposed by this measure, will help promote a deeper respect and appreciation for the area and its people.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3173, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3173, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair