The Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) will be holding two public hearings, one online and one in person, for the proposed Miloli‘i Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA) to ensure long-term sustainable populations of fish and other marine species and to reaffirm and perpetuate fishing practices that were customarily and traditionally exercised for Native Hawaiian subsistence, culture, or religion along the southwest coast of Hawai‘i Island. The proposed CBSFA extends from Paʻakai Point at Kīpāhoehoe in the north to Kaunā in the south, from the shoreline out to the 100-fathom depth contour, and includes the following sub-zones: the ʻŌpelu Traditional Management Zone, the Puʻuhonua Pāpā, the Pākuʻikuʻi Rest Area, Puakaiʻa Miloliʻi, the Puʻuhonua Honomalino, the Puʻuhonua Kapuʻa, and the Puʻuhonua Manukā. The proposed rules would establish bag limits, size limits, seasonal closures, and/or gear restrictions for ʻa‘ama crab, kole, ‘opihi, pāku‘iku‘i, uhu, ula, and ‘ū‘ū within the CBSFA; and prohibit the take of marine life for aquarium purposes within the entire CBSFA.

The online public hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. All interested persons may view the online Public Hearing on YouTube at this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGVbR8IMi1hnPksQeSVUZA. To be put on the list for live video or phone testimony please email your request to: [email protected]. Please include your email, full name and phone number. A confirmation email will be sent to you with instructions and the meeting link and call-in phone number.

The in-person public hearing will take place on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at the Miloli‘i Community Outdoor Pavilion located at 89-1200 Miloliʻi Road, Captain Cook, Hawai‘i, 96704. All interested persons may attend in person and may provide oral testimony by writing their name on the testimony sign-up sheet at the public hearing.

Written testimony: Persons can also mail or email written testimony by May 6, 2022 to the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813, [email protected].

To view proposed regulations please follow this link:
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/rules-and-public-notices/

To view the Ramseyer language please follow this link: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2022/02/HAR-13-60.xxdr_.pdf