Public hearings scheduled on proposal to increase commercial marine license fees

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold public hearings on the proposed amendments to Chapter 13-74, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) relating to commercial marine license fees and reporting deadlines for marine dealers. The proposed amendments would increase the annual commercial license fees from its current $50/year to $100/year initially, then to $150/year on January 1, 2018. This date may be delayed until later in the year, depending on when the rules are approved. The proposed rules also would establish a reporting deadline for dealers who buy marine life directly from commercial fishers.

The hearings will be held at the following times and locations:
Thursday, September 28, 2017
MOLOKAI – Mitchell Pauole Center Conference Room, 90 Ainoa Street, Kaunakakai, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Friday, September 29, 2017
OAHU – Stevenson Middle School Cafeteria, 1202 Prospect Street, Honolulu, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
LANAI – Lanai High/Elementary School Cafeteria, 555 Fraser Avenue, Lanai City, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 3, 2017
HILO – Hawaii County Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 101, Hilo, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
KONA – Honokohau Harbor Big Game Fishing Clubhouse, Kailua-Kona, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
MAUI – Maui Waena School Cafeteria, 795 Onehee Street, Kahului, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 5, 2017
KAUAI – Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Cafeteria, 4431 Nuhou Street, 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
KAUAI – Kapa’a Elementary School, 4886 Kawaihau Road, Kapa’a, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

All interested persons are urged to attend the public 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, October 13, 2017 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. Additional information or a copy of the proposed rules will be mailed at no charge upon receipt of verbal or written request to the DAR address.

View draft rule.