Bill Text: HI HB1134 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Kaneohe Bay.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-07-06 - Act 232, 07/06/2023 (Gov. Msg. No. 1335). [HB1134 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-HB1134-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1134 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to kaneohe bay.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Kaneohe Bay, including Ahu o Laka, known as the sandbar, has a rich cultural history that blends into our understanding of present day significance and is a sacred wahi pana to the native Hawaiian lineal and generational inhabitants of Koolaupoko – Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe, Heeia, Kahaluu, Waihee, Kaalea, Waiahole, Waikane, Hakipuu, and Kualoa. Over the years, over‑commercialization of Kaneohe Bay, including Ahu o Laka, has been unnaturally encouraged via social media and through unpermitted tour operators who can advertise and operate without regard for rules, regulations, and cultural awareness. Kaneohe Bay and attractions in the Bay such as Ahu o Laka are advertised as "must see" tourist stops without the mention of cultural awareness or significance, and non-permitted commercial operators set up advertisements and online payment schemes and bring guests, circumventing principles and intentions of the original 1992 Kaneohe Bay master plan. This problem is exacerbated because state entities responsible for protecting resources do not work on weekends or holidays, which encourages noncompliance with laws, rules, and regulations. Furthermore, unauthorized advertising on social media and online has increased private and rental vehicles parking illegally at Heeia boat harbor and along both sides of Kamehameha highway, causing unsafe traffic situations.
The legislature further finds that the Kaneohe Bay master plan was developed pursuant to Act 208, Session Laws of Hawaii 1990, which established a framework for the sustainable management of the bay's natural resources while accommodating a variety of uses. A compromise of competing interests resulted in a cap on the number of commercial enterprises and volume of permitted commercial activity. The vision continues to be the preservation and protection of the bay's natural resources for the continuing enjoyment of all.
The legislature also finds that limits on commercial activity have been exceeded by other activities not previously envisioned and by new technologies that support their proliferation. One example is the pre-positioning of rental kayaks at Heeia state park and Heeia Kea pier, internet advertisements for boats, kayaks, and other commercial recreational uses, and the ability of customers to pay online and through mobile money transfer platforms such as Venmo.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to update the law regarding restricted activities in Kaneohe Bay.
SECTION 2. Section 200-24, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§200-24[]]
Rules. The department shall
adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement the policy and purpose of this
part, and to classify vessels into appropriate categories and classes.
The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 with respect to the following:
(1) The registration and numbering of vessels;
(2) The operation, use, and equipment of vessels on or in the waters of the State;
(3) The conduct of
persons involved in boating accidents and in the reporting of accidents and
other casualties and losses to the department; [and]
(4) The designation of
areas of the waters of the State and time periods during which thrill craft may
be operated, and waters on or above which, and time periods during which,
persons may engage in parasailing, commercial high speed boating, and water
sledding; provided that in designating the areas, the department shall use the
official recommendation of the National Marine Fisheries Service with regard to
the protection of protected marine life and habitats in adopting rules to
implement this section, except as otherwise provided by law[.];
(5) Prescribing
procedures for enforcement personnel to issue subpoenas and to take custody of
property suspected to be used in unauthorized commercial ocean use activity
pursuant to section 200-39(h);
(6) Establishing
administrative penalties and fines for violations of this part; and
(7) Prescribing any
other procedures determined by the department in its experience and discretion
to effectuate the intent of this part and the Kaneohe Bay master plan."
SECTION 3. Section 200-39, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§200-39 Kaneohe Bay commercial ocean use
activities; permits; restrictions. [(a) For the purposes of this section, "ocean
use activities" means commercial operation of thrill craft, high speed
boating, parasailing, water sledding, sailing and snorkeling tours, glassbottom
boat tours, or any other similar commercial ocean recreation activity for hire.
(b)] (a) Any other provision of this chapter to the
contrary notwithstanding, no person shall operate thrill craft, parasailing,
water sledding, or commercial high speed boating unless the person meets the
requirements of section 200-37 and all rules adopted by the department that
regulate or restrict these activities.
(b)
No person shall conduct any commercial ocean use activity within Kaneohe
Bay waters without a permit issued by the department.
(c)
The following shall be construed as conducting commercial ocean use
activity:
(1) Delivering or
pre-positioning any commercial ocean recreational equipment for hire, within
one thousand feet of any shoreline of Kaneohe Bay; or
(2) Transporting
customers to or from any location on Oahu, including but not limited to Heeia
Kea, the Kaneohe Yacht Club, or any private residence, to Kaneohe Bay to
participate in unpermitted commercial ocean use activity.
The burden of proof shall be on the person cited
for unlawful commercial ocean use activity that the conduct is not in violation
of this chapter or that it is permitted pursuant to a permit, lease, or license
issued by the department.
(d)
No person shall advertise any commercial ocean use activity within
Kaneohe Bay waters for which the person does not have a permit from the
department. Advertisement in print, by
word of mouth, or online in any form, including through social media, of
unpermitted commercial ocean use activities or equipment shall be prima facie
evidence that:
(1) The owner of
the advertised commercial ocean use activity or equipment disseminated or
directed the dissemination of the advertisement in that form and manner; and
(2) The commercial
ocean use activity or equipment is being operated at the location advertised.
The burden of proof shall be on the provider of
the commercial ocean use activity or the owner of the commercial ocean
recreational equipment to establish that the equipment is not being used for a
commercial ocean use activity or that the conduct is pursuant to a permit,
lease, or license issued by the department, including the division of state
parks.
[(c)] (e) Permits issued by the department for [the]
commercial [operation of] ocean use activities in Kaneohe Bay shall be
limited to the number and locations, by permit type and vessel and passenger
capacity, provided in the Kaneohe Bay master plan developed pursuant to Act
208, Session Laws of Hawaii 1990, until applicable rules consistent with the
master plan are adopted by the department; provided that the passenger capacity
for snorkeling tours and glassbottom boat tours shall be set through rules
adopted pursuant to chapter 91. No thrill
craft permit may be transferred after June 21, 1998; provided that transfers of
permits may be made at any time between family members.
[(d)] (f) On Sundays and federal holidays, all
commercial ocean use activities shall be prohibited.
[(e)] (g) All rules adopted by the department with regard
to Kaneohe Bay shall be drafted in consultation with the Kaneohe Bay regional
council. For those provisions of the
Kaneohe Bay master plan previously adopted by the legislature, the rules
adopted by the department shall be in accordance with those provisions. Notwithstanding subsection [(c)] (e)
to the contrary, if the department determines for safety or environmental
protection reasons that a permitted use should be relocated, the department may
relocate the permitted use and the department shall have discretion to permit
vessel substitution with a similar length vessel; provided that the increase is
not greater than ten per cent of the current vessel length.
For those provisions of the Kaneohe Bay
master plan developed pursuant to Act 208, Session Laws of Hawaii 1990, not
previously adopted by the legislature, the master plan shall be used as the
recommended guideline in the adoption and implementation of rules with regard
to the regulation of all activities in Kaneohe Bay.
(h)
Citations for violations of this section or any rules of the department
adopted pursuant to this section may be issued by the department, Hawaii harbor
police, or Honolulu police department.
In enforcing the provisions of this section, any duly authorized
employee, agent, or representative of the department, Hawaii harbor police, or
law enforcement officer of the Honolulu police department shall have the power
to issue subpoenas and take legal custody of any personal property that is the subject
of or related to any violation of this section or rules established by the
department pursuant to this section. The
property may be released only upon approval by the board or the court that has
jurisdiction over the case. All costs
associated with custody and storage of the property shall be at the owner's
cost and expense.
(i) In addition to any penalties and fines
established by rules adopted by the department, any person who violates this
section or any rule adopted pursuant to this section shall be subject to the
penalties and fines set forth in sections 200-14 and 200-14.5.
(j) For purposes of this section, "commercial
ocean use activity" means any:
(1) Commercial
operation, or the providing for hire, of thrill craft; high speed boating;
parasailing; water sledding; kayaks; canoes; any manner of surfboards,
sailboards, paddleboard, or related watercraft; sailing; snorkeling; diving
tours; fishing tours; glassbottom boat tours; or any other similar commercial
ocean activity; or
(2) Renting for use
or hire any vessel or equipment used in any of the activities listed in
paragraph (1).
"Commercial ocean use activity" does
not include commercial fishing, commercial ocean activity providers operating
pursuant to a permit issued by the department, or those operating pursuant to
an existing lease or license issued by the department or board."
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for full-time equivalent ( FTE) positions to enforce the provisions of this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Kaneohe Bay; Restrictions; Commercial Ocean Use Activities; Permits
Description:
Prohibits commercial ocean use activity in Kaneohe Bay waters without a permit. Prohibits any person from advertising any commercial ocean use activity in Kaneohe Bay waters for which the person does not have a permit, lease, or license.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
