HB1423 • 2026

RELATING TO HANALEI BAY.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: NAKAMURA, EVSLIN, MORIKAWA
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide information on the enforcement date or potential impacts on tourism and local businesses.

Rules for Vessels in Hanalei Bay

This bill prohibits vessels longer than seventy-five feet from entering Hanalei Bay, except those operated by federal, state, or county agencies.

What This Bill Does

Prohibits vessels longer than seventy-five feet from entering Hanalei Bay unless they are operated by a federal, state, or county agency.
Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to define the boundaries of Hanalei Bay.

Who It Names or Affects

People who own or operate boats longer than 75 feet
Visitors and residents of Hanalei Bay

Terms To Know

Board of Land and Natural Resources: A government group that makes rules about land and water in Hawaii.
Vessel Restrictions: Rules that limit which boats can go into certain areas of water.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify when it will start to be enforced.
It is unclear how the rule will affect tourism and boat-related businesses in Hanalei Bay.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: This amendment restricts large vessels from entering Hanalei Bay to preserve the area's quiet recreational character and ensure safety.

Bans vessels longer than seventy-five feet from entering Hanalei Bay, except for those operated by federal, state, or county agencies.
Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to define the boundaries of Hanalei Bay through rules.

The amendment's effective date is set far in the future (July 1, 3000), which seems unusual and may be a placeholder or error.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-02-14 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Matayoshi, Poepoe, Ward excused (4).
2025-02-14 H
Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 709) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2025-02-13 H
The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Lamosao, Belatti, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Morikawa, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Poepoe, Woodson.
2025-02-11 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Thursday, 02-13-25 9:30AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-27 H
Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 4
2025-01-23 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO HANALEI BAY.
Board of Land and Natural Resources; Hanalei Bay; Boundaries; Vessel Restrictions; Exemptions
Prohibits vessels longer than seventy-five feet from entering Hanalei Bay except for vessels operated by a federal, state, or county agency. Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to define boundaries of Hanalei Bay by rule. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1423

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1423

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating
to Hanalei Bay
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that Hanalei
Bay is known for its character as a quiet recreational area for families and
visitors to participate in ocean activities, including surfing, swimming,
paddle boarding, sailing, and kayaking.
�
The
legislature further finds that there has been a growing increase in the number
of large vessels, including yachts and ships, mooring in Hanalei Bay, posing a
risk to the health and safety of individuals and families participating in ocean
activities in the bay.

����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to:

����
(1)
�
Preserve the quiet recreational character of
Hanalei Bay; and

����
(2)
�
Protect the safety of residents and visitors
who use the bay for water activities;

by restricting the size of vessels permitted to
enter Hanalei Bay.

����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 200, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

����
"
�200-
��

��
Hanalei Bay; vessel
restrictions.
�
No vessel more than seventy-five feet in
length shall enter Hanalei Bay waters, the boundary of which shall be defined by
the board pursuant to chapter 91; provided that this section shall not apply to
vessels operated by a federal, state, or county agency.
"

����
SECTION 3.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Board of
Land and Natural Resources; Hanalei Bay; Vessel Restriction

Description:

Prohibits
vessels longer than 75 feet from entering Hanalei Bay.
�
Exempts vessels operated by a federal, state,
or county agency.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.