Public Hearing Notice
For Proposed Amendments of Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapters 13-51 and 13-95.1, To update rules relating to the Kahului Harbor Fisheries Management Area, Maui, and rules relating to the take and possession of ‘oama on the island of Maui.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold a statewide online public hearing on proposed amendments of Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) §13-51 relating to the Kahului Harbor Fisheries Management Area (FMA), and §13-95.1 relating to rules regulating the take and possession of ‘oama on the island of Maui. The proposed amendments to modify HAR §13-51 (Kahului Harbor FMA) include: Removing existing rule exemptions for commercial take of nehu with a commercial nehu baitfish license, akule with a commercial marine fishing license, and juvenile mullet with an aquaculture facility license; Prohibiting the use of all nets within the FMA with the only exceptions being a landing net with stretched mesh of two inches or greater and a hand net no larger than 8 inches in diameter and with a handle that is no longer than 14 inches in length; Prohibiting the use of hooks with more than one point, but allowing for the use of double or treble hooks when using artificial lures; and Repealing and removing the FMA check-in, check-out, and fisher report requirements. The proposed amendments also include a number of non-substantive technical rule amendments such as changes and/or additions to definitions for the purpose of clarity and consistency. The proposed amendments to HAR §13-95.1 (Maui Island-Based Fisheries Rules) focus on changes to the definition of ‘oama to include two species of juvenile goatfishes (weke’a, Mulloidichthys flavolineatus, and weke ‘ula, Mulloidichthys vanicolensis) and to increase the size for ‘oama from 5 inches up to 8 inches. In addition, non-substantive technical amendments are proposed to definitions and other language in order to provide more clarity and consistency.
All interested persons may view the Public Hearing on YouTube at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGVbR8IMi1hnPksQeSVUZA
Interested persons are also urged to participate in the on-line public hearing on
July 14, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. There are two ways to participate: by written testimony or by live video testimony.
Written testimony: Persons can mail or email written testimony by July 30, 2021 to the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813,DLNR.Aquatics@hawaii.gov.
Live video testimony: To be put on the list for live video testimony please email your request to: DLNR.Aquatics@hawaii.gov. Please 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 Rules can be reviewed online at http://ltgov.hawaii.gov/the-office/administrative-rules or at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/rules-and-publicnotices or can be made available by request to DLNR.Aquatics@hawaii.gov.
Suzanne D. Case, Chairperson
Board of Land and Natural Resources
(SA1329427 6/6/21)
