HB1750 • 2026

RELATING TO OAHU CORAL REEF RESTORATION.

Active

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

Sponsor: ICHIYAMA
Last action: 2026-01-26
Official status: Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 1
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide information about the exact timing or consequences if the Holomua Marine Initiative process takes too long to create new regulations.

Oahu Coral Reef Restoration Act

This bill temporarily bans fishing by spearing uhu (parrotfish) and kala (bluespine unicornfish) in Oahu's marine waters, and also stops the commercial sale of these fish until new regulations are set to help restore coral reefs.

What This Bill Does

Bans people from catching uhu or kala by spearing before sunrise or after sunset in Oahu’s state marine waters.
Does not allow anyone on Oahu to sell uhu or kala that were caught by spearing for money.

Who It Names or Affects

Fishers who catch uhu or kala in Oahu’s marine waters.
People on Oahu who buy, sell, or trade uhu and kala fish.

Terms To Know

Holomua Marine Initiative: A process by the Division of Aquatic Resources to create new rules for protecting marine life in Hawaii.
Spearing: Using a spear to catch fish underwater.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what will happen if the Holomua Marine Initiative process takes too long to create new rules.
It is unclear how this ban and sales restriction will affect local businesses that rely on selling uhu or kala fish.

Bill History

2026-01-26 H
Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 1
2026-01-22 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-21 H
Pending Introduction

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO OAHU CORAL REEF RESTORATION.
Fishing Regulations; Uhu; Kala; Spearing; Sales; Temporary Restrictions
Temporarily prohibits the taking by spearing of uhu or kala in state marine waters around the island of Oahu, and prohibits the commercial sale of uhu and kala so taken, until the Division of Aquatic Resources' Holomua Marine Initiative process adopts applicable regulations.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1750

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1750

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to OAHU coral reef restoration
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 188, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and
to read as follows:

����
"
�188-
�
Uhu
and kala; temporary restrictions.
�
(a)
�
No person shall intentionally or knowingly
take by spearing after sunset or before sunrise any uhu (parrotfish, family
Scaridae) or kala (bluespine unicornfish, Naso unicornis) in state marine
waters around the island of Oahu.

����
(b)
�

No person on the island of Oahu shall engage in the commercial sale of
any uhu or kala that has been taken by spearing.

����
(c)
�

The prohibitions under this section shall remain in effect until the
division of aquatic resources' Holomua marine initiative process implements new
regulations that will recover uhu and kala populations to levels that prevent seaweed
from smothering corals pursuant to rules adopted by the board for the island of
Oahu.
�
Upon the adoption of the
regulations under the division of aquatic resources' Holomua marine initiative
process pursuant to rules adopted by the board, this section shall be void.
"

����
SECTION 2.
�
This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

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

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Fishing
Regulations; Uhu; Kala; Spearing; Sales; Temporary Restrictions

Description:

Temporarily
prohibits the taking by spearing of uhu or kala in state marine waters around
the island of Oahu, and prohibits the commercial sale of uhu and kala so taken,
until the
Division of Aquatic
Resources' Holomua Marine Initiative process adopts applicable regulations
.

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