Draft Rules and Public Notices

Public Hearing Notices
Title	Description	Hearing Details

Current Rulemaking
HAR Chapter(s)	Description	Current Status	Past Documents/Links
Chapters 13-60.12, “Ka ūpūlehu Fisheries Management Area, Hawaiʻi” and 13-60.4, West Hawaiʻi Regional Fishery Management Area, Hawaiʻi”	1) Adoption of a New Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter Within Title 13: Chapter 13-60.12, “Kaʻūpūlehu Fisheries Management Area, Hawaiʻi” to establish the area boundaries, establish bag limits, size limits, and open and closed seasons for various marine life species, implement gear restrictions, establish a fishing permit requirement including permit terms and conditions, and to establish rules and boundaries for the ‘Opihi Rest Area Rotational Zones to implement enhanced ‘opihi management measures, the Kai Malu Management Area to align with the traditional fishing practices of Kahuwai Bay, and the Wai a Kāne Cultural Site and Freshwater Spring to recognize and preserve the important cultural and ecological role Wai a Kāne plays for Kahuwai Bay and the surrounding nearshore ecosystem. 2) Amendments to and Compilation of Chapter 13-60.4, Hawaii Administrative Rules, “West Hawaiʻi Regional Fishery Management Area, Hawaiʻi” to repeal rules for the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Reserve, reestablish the Kaʻūpūlehu Fish Replenishment Area, and make other housekeeping amendments throughout the chapter.	The draft rulemaking proposal will be heard by the Board of Land and Natural Resources at their regularly scheduled meeting on Friday, February 27, 2026 (See agenda Item F-3). For more information on how to participate, please visit the Board Meetings website. View the draft rulemaking proposal in Ramseyer format.

Current Rulemaking

HAR Chapter(s)

Description

Current Status

Past Documents/Links

Chapters 13-60.12, “Ka ūpūlehu Fisheries Management Area, Hawaiʻi” and 13-60.4, West Hawaiʻi Regional Fishery Management Area, Hawaiʻi”

1) Adoption of a New Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter Within Title 13: Chapter 13-60.12, “Kaʻūpūlehu Fisheries Management Area, Hawaiʻi” to establish the area boundaries, establish bag limits, size limits, and open and closed seasons for various marine life species, implement gear restrictions, establish a fishing permit requirement including permit terms and conditions, and to establish rules and boundaries for the ‘Opihi Rest Area Rotational Zones to implement enhanced ‘opihi management measures, the Kai Malu Management Area to align with the traditional fishing practices of Kahuwai Bay, and the Wai a Kāne Cultural Site and Freshwater Spring to recognize and preserve the important cultural and ecological role Wai a Kāne plays for Kahuwai Bay and the surrounding nearshore ecosystem.

2) Amendments to and Compilation of Chapter 13-60.4, Hawaii Administrative Rules, “West Hawaiʻi Regional Fishery Management Area, Hawaiʻi” to repeal rules for the Kaʻūpūlehu Marine Reserve, reestablish the Kaʻūpūlehu Fish Replenishment Area, and make other housekeeping amendments throughout the chapter.

The draft rulemaking proposal will be heard by the Board of Land and Natural Resources at their regularly scheduled meeting on Friday, February 27, 2026 (See agenda Item F-3). For more information on how to participate, please visit the Board Meetings website.

View the draft rulemaking proposal in Ramseyer format.

Past Rulemaking
HAR Chapter(s)	Brief Description	Status	Additional Information, Past Documents/Links
Chapter 13-74, “License and Permit Provisions and Fees for Fishing, Fish, and Fish Products”	Provided comprehensive updates to licenses and permits including updated fee schedules and 3 new licenses: A Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License, a Commercial Marine Vessel License, and a Commercial Marine Dealer License	Effective 5/2/24 The new licenses will be implemented as follows: 🐟Commercial Marine Vessel License Spring 2024 🐟Commercial Marine Dealer License Fall 2024 🐟Non-resident Recreational Marine Fishing License Fall 2024	See Past Rulemaking page
Chapter 13-60.11, “Kīpahulu Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area, Maui”	Established the Kīpahulu Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area, Maui	Effective 3/25/24	See Past Rulemaking page
Chapter 13-31, “Molokini Shoal Marine Life Conservation District, Maui” Chapter 13-230, “General Provisions” Chapter 13-257, “Day-Use Mooring Rules”	Provided crucial amendments and additions to the rules for the Molokini MLCD and Day-Use Mooring program	Effective March 15, 2024	See Past Rulemaking page
Chapter 13-95, “Rules Regulating the Taking and Selling of Certain Marine Resources”	The primary purpose of this rulemaking action was a request to amend HAR chapter 13-95 for enhanced protections of important herbivore fish species and for updated pāpaʻi kualoa (Kona Crab) rules to match the recently amended relevant statutory language.	Effective February 22, 2024	See Past Rulemaking page
Chapter 13-78, “Ocean Stewardship User Fee”	This rulemaking action was a request to adopt HAR chapter 13-78, establishing provisions for the Ocean Stewardship User Fee.	Effective January 12, 2024	See Past Rulemaking page

For information on earlier rulemaking, visit our draft rules and public notices archive.

Division of Aquatic Resources