On May 12, 2023, DAR will request the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) to approve holding statewide public hearings on the updated proposed herbivore rule amendments on select species of herbivorous fish, including minimum harvest size adjustments for manini and kole and bag limits for uhu and kala. If the request is granted, the proposal will then be reviewed by the Small Business Regulatory Review Board and the Governor’s office, before public hearings are scheduled.

Previously, DAR had requested on December 8, 2022 for the BLNR to approve holding statewide public hearings on the proposed rules. Based on their feedback, DAR has drafted additional rule amendments with accommodations for the commercial fishery for uhu and kala. 

Additionally, DAR will be briefing the BLNR on a proposal for a comprehensive update to chapter 13-74, Hawaii Administrative Rules, “License and Permit Provisions and Fees for Fishing, Fish, and Fish Products.” The main goals for the proposal are to implement a Nonresident Recreational Marine Fishing License, a Commercial Marine Vessel License, a Commercial Marine Dealer License, to update the fee schedules for multiple licenses and permits to cover increased administrative costs including updating the licensing and permitting systems, and to make other various housekeeping amendments throughout the chapter.

The BLNR will not be making any decisions regarding the herbivore rules or status of the proposal; however, the BLNR will be accepting public comment. Check the BLNR website for more information on how to provide testimony and to view the livestream via YouTube.

You can find DAR’s updated proposal submission to the BLNR on their website.
You can access the meeting agenda at the BLNR Meetings 2023 page.