Public hearing on proposed marine reserve at Ka‘ūpūlehu, West Hawai‘i

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a combined public informational meeting and formal public rulemaking hearing in West Hawai‘i to amend Hawaii Administrative Rules (“HAR”) Title 13, chapter 60.4, to establish the Ka‘ūpūlehu Marine Reserve. The Reserve boundaries will encompass the existing Ka‘ūpūlehu Fish Replenishment Area. The proposed amendments would provide a 10-year nearshore “no take” period—with limited exceptions—to allow for the recovery of reef fish stocks prior to the implementation of a subsistence fishery management plan for Ka‘ūpūlehu.

The public meeting and hearing will be held at the Kealakehe High School Cafeteria, 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, on Thursday, February 11, 2016. The informational meeting portion will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The formal public rulemaking hearing will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

All interested persons are urged to attend the public meeting and hearing to present relevant information and individual opinion for the DLNR to consider. Persons unable to attend or wishing to present additional comments, may mail written testimony by Friday, February 26, 2016 to the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR); 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330; Honolulu, HI 96813.

Anyone with a hearing impairment who desires to attend the public hearing may request assistance of a sign language interpreter. The request may be made in writing (to the DAR address in the preceding paragraph), or by calling 587-0100 (voice or TDD) in Honolulu. The request will need to be received at least seven days before the hearing is scheduled to start.

View draft rule (PDF).

The Ka‘ūpūlehu Marine Life Advisory Committee (KMLAC) has compiled an administrative record for the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) to provide DAR and the public with the background and justification for the Ka‘ūpūlehu Marine Reserve proposal.  This is not a DAR publication, but we are making it publicly available through the DAR website for public review during the public testimony and comment period.  The document can be viewed here.