Division of Aquatic Resources

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
FOR THE PROPOSED ADOPTION OF HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES CHAPTER 13-77.1, “AQUARIUM FISHERY MANAGEMENT” AND THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT AND COMPILATION OF HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES CHAPTERS 13-60.4, “WEST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL FISHERY MANAGEMENT AREA, HAWAIʻI” AND 13-74, “RULES REGULATING THE POSSESSION AND USE OF CERTAIN FISHING GEAR”

The State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) will hold public hearings on
proposed rules regulating the aquarium fishery. The draft rulemaking proposal would update and consolidate aquarium fishery regulations by:

1. Establishing the state of Hawaiʻi aquarium fish permit with general terms and conditions and requirements applicable statewide;
2. Repealing the West Hawaiʻi aquarium permit and associated rules from Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) chapter 13-60.4, “West Hawaiʻi Regional Fishery Management Area, Hawaiʻi” (WHRFMA) and establishing a West Hawaiʻi geographical endorsement which includes
   West-Hawaiʻi-specific terms and conditions, a species whitelist, and annual catch limits;
3. Expanding the aquarium fishing vessel registration and marking requirements, currently only applicable to the WHRFMA, to apply statewide;
4. Establishing commercial aquarium dealer registration and requirements; and
5. Other various updates to existing aquarium fishing rules in HAR chapters 13-60.4 and 13-75 to address concerns identified through scoping and expressed via testimony regarding potential regulatory loopholes and compliance and enforcement issues.

Interested persons are urged to participate in the public hearing to present relevant information and individual opinions for DLNR to consider.

DAR is especially interested in gathering testimony on any impacts these increased restrictions and requirements on the aquarium fishery may have on local, independent small businesses (less than 100 employees). DAR is seeking testimony identifying any native Hawaiian traditional and customary rights or practices affected by the proposal as well as suggestions on how to mitigate any negative impacts to those affected rights.

If you do not wish to testify but want to watch the public hearing online, you can view a live stream of the public hearings here: https://www.youtube.com/@dlnr-dar

If you wish to provide testimony, there are three ways to participate: At the in-person public hearing, at the virtual online public hearing via internet video conference or telephone, or by submitting written testimony.

PUBLIC HEARING DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION(S)

Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• Online via Zoom (register at: https://tinyurl.com/AQPublicHearing)

Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• Kealakehe High School Cafeteria (IN PERSON ONLY)
  74-5000 Puohulihuli Street
  Kailua-Kona, Hawaiʻi 96740

TESTIMONY INSTRUCTIONS

• In-person Testimony

DLNR will hold a separate, in-person only public hearing at the address listed above where persons can attend in person to present live
testimony on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• Online Testimony

 To provide online testimony, you will need a computer with internet access, video camera, and microphone, or a telephone. If you wish to
testify online, you must register using the registration link included above.

Please note that all fields are required to register to testify. Once you submit the online registration form, a confirmation will be emailed to you with instructions and the meeting link and call-in number. If you do not receive an email with a Zoom link, please email [email protected] for assistance. We request that you register to testify at least one hour prior to the hearing to ensure that you
receive the Zoom link on time.  If you are unable to access the Zoom hearing, you may still provide written testimony as described below.

• Written testimony

The deadline to submit written testimony is Sunday, April 12, 2026. Written testimony may be e-mailed to [email protected] or mailed to the address:

Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Aquatic Resources
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, 96813

If you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, please contact [email protected] or the DAR-Oʻahu Main Office at (808) 587-0100. Additional information or a copy of the proposed rules will be mailed at no charge upon receipt of verbal or
written request.  The requests may be made in writing (to the address listed above), or by calling the DAR-Oʻahu Main Office at 587-0100 (voice or TDD). The proposed rules can be reviewed online at http://ltgov.hawaii.gov/the-office/administrative-rules or at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/rules-and-public-notices. The proposed rules are also available for review in person at the DAR-Oʻahu Main Office (at the address listed above) from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Holidays, by appointment only. To schedule an
appointment to review the proposed rules in person, email [email protected].