Public hearing scheduled for January 19 on proposed rule changes to Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District, O‘ahu

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a statewide online public hearing on a proposed amendment to the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD), O‘ahu. The amendment modifies the existing Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) to reflect the accurate coordinates of DAR’s jurisdiction and boundary descriptions by including the Kapo‘o tidepool area; clarify and update definitions including “limu lipe‘epe‘e; prohibit the feeding of marine life; make grammatical and technical amendments; clarify the types of penalties authorized by statute for violations of this chapter; and provide notice of the State’s authority to utilize civil asset forfeiture as an enforcement tool for violations of this chapter.

All interested persons may view the Public Hearing on YouTube at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGVbR8IMi1hnPksQeSVUZA

Interested persons are also urged to participate in the statewide on-line public hearing on January 19, 2021 at 5:30pm. There are two ways to participate: by written testimony or by live video testimony.

Written testimony: Persons can also mail or email written testimony by January 26, 2021 to the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Live video testimony: To be put on the list for live video testimony please email your request. Include your email, full name and phone number and a confirmation will be sent to you with instructions and the meeting link.

Anyone with a hearing impairment who desires to testify, may request assistance of a sign language interpreter. 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. The requests may be made in writing (to the DAR address in the preceding paragraph), or by calling 587-0100 (voice or TDD) in Honolulu.

The proposed rules drafted in Ramseyer format can be viewed here.