STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2674

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3173

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3173 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a Cultural Training Pilot Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to be administered by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation for all commercial use permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor;

(2) Require the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation to partner with an organization identified by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in Native Hawaiian culture and place-based history to teach a cultural training course to educate commercial use permit holders and applicants for commercial use permits on the cultural and historic significance of the area; and

(3) Require existing commercial use permit holders and applicants to undergo cultural training.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Maui County Council, Lāhainā Strong, Koʻolau Foundation, and thirty-five individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Trilogy Excursions; Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Inc.; Quicksilver Charters; and Maui Chamber of Commerce.

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

Your Committees find that Lahaina Harbor was a bustling commercial center before suffering extreme damage and destruction in the 2023 Maui wildfires, from which it is slowly recovering. Nonetheless, your Committees recognize that Lahaina Harbor is situated within a place of deep history, culture, and spiritual significance to the State; thus, the State must be mindful of how commercial enterprises restart operations at Lahaina Harbor. Your Committees believe that requiring cultural training for commercial operators will strengthen stewardship and kuleana and create a shared baseline of cultural understanding, respect, and responsibility. This measure ensures that the rebuilding of Lahaina Harbor and revival of its commercial activity aligns with cultural preservation and community values and strengthens relationships between industry and residents.

Your Committees note the concerns raised in testimony and discussed at the public hearing on this measure. Due to the time constraints of the legislative calendar, your Committees have not amended this measure at this time; however, your Committees intend to continue working with stakeholders to address the concerns raised in testimony and to resolve outstanding issues as the measure moves forward through the legislative process.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3173 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Hawaiian Affairs,

________________________________ HERBERT M. RICHARDS, III, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair