Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation

Notice is hereby given that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), State of Hawaii, will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Chapter 13-230, General Provisions, re: Section 13-230-8, Definitions, and HAR Chapter 13-256, Ocean Recreation Management Rules and Areas, to add a new Sections 13-256-26, Manta Ray Viewing, and 13-256-165, Makako Bay Manta Ray Viewing Zone, 13-256-166, Kaukalaelae Point Manta Ray Viewing Zone, to regulate Manta Ray viewing activities.

The meeting will be held on Hawaii Island at the West Hawaii Civic Center Community Meeting Hale, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 10:30am to 12:30pm.  All interested parties are invited to participate and present testimony on the proposed amendments, either verbally in-person or in writing.  Meeting locations are disability accessible.  For special needs (large print, sign language interpreter, etc.), contact the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) Hawaii District Office at least five working days prior to the stated date and time of the public hearing.

Persons wishing to provide verbal testimony must sign in with DLNR staff no later than 30 minutes after the stated start time of the public hearing.  Public hearings will conclude at the stated end time or when the last verbal testifier has finished, whichever comes first.  Emailed testimony may be sent to [email protected].  Mailed testimony may be sent to the DOBOR Hawaii District Office.  Emailed testimony must be received by 11:59pm on the date of the public hearing; mailed testimony must be postmarked no later than the day of the public hearing.

The notice of hearing and latest version of the draft rules can be viewed at this page.

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