RELATING TO SURFING.

Education

Active

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

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

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide specific details on enforcement mechanisms or penalties for surfer violations, if any exist.

Rules for Surfing Safety

This bill clarifies that surfers have the right of way in designated surfing areas, sets penalties for fishermen who violate this rule, and requires DLNR to educate the public, put up signs, and create a map.

What This Bill Does

Clarifies that surfers have the right of way in designated surf locations determined by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).
Sets penalties for fishermen who violate this rule, starting at $500 for the first offense and going up to $3,000 for repeat offenses.
Requires DLNR to implement a public education campaign about surfing safety and fishing rules in shared ocean spaces.
Requires DLNR to put up clear signs indicating surfers' right of way and the rules pertaining to fishing in designated surf locations.
Requires DLNR to publish a map identifying all designated surf locations.

Who It Names or Affects

Surfers who will have the right of way in designated surfing areas.
Fishermen who must move their equipment if it interferes with surfers or other recreational users and face penalties for violations.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) which is responsible for determining designated surf locations, implementing public education campaigns, putting up signs, and creating a map.

Terms To Know

Drone fishermen: Individuals using drones to deploy fishing lines in proximity to recreational ocean users.
Designated surf location: An area recognized as safe and common for surfing, swimming, diving, and other recreational activities, determined by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much funding will be allocated for public education campaigns, signs, or maps.
It is unclear when DLNR will complete its rules and actions required under this law.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 1
2025-01-17 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-16 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO SURFING.
Fishing; Surfers; Recreational Areas; DLNR; Safety
Clarifies that surfers have the right of way in designated surf locations to be determined by the department of land and natural resources. Authorizes penalties for fishermen who violate this section. Requires DLNR to implement a public education campaign, erect clear signs, and create a designated surf location map.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB266

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

266

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to surfing
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that there is a need
for clear regulations regarding the interaction between surfers and fishermen
in Hawaii.
�
Fishermen often deploy
fishing lines in a manner that crosses the surfing lane and poses a significant
safety hazard to surfers and other ocean users.
�

The purpose of this Act is to ensure the safety of all ocean users and
prioritize the rights of surfers in designated surf locations.

����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 188, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�188-
�
��
Surfer right of way.
�
(a)
�
Surfers shall have the right of way in
designated surf locations.
�
Fishermen,
including drone fishermen, are required to move their fishing poles or lines if
they interfere with surfers or other recreational users.

����
(b)
�
Any person violating this section or any rule
adopted pursuant to this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be
fined:

����
(1)
�
$500 for the
first offense;

����
(2)
�
$1,500 for the second
offense; and

����
(3)
�
$3,000 for a
third or subsequent offense.

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(c)
�
In addition to any other penalty imposed
under this section, a person violating this section shall be subject to:

����
(1)
�
For a first
offense, seizure of any fishing equipment used in violation of this section or
any rule adopted pursuant to this section; and

����
(2)
�
For a second
offense, seizure and forfeiture of any fishing equipment used in violation of
this section or any rule adopted pursuant to this section.

����
(d)
�
The prosecution of any violation under this
section or any rule adopted pursuant to this section requires sufficient
evidence to demonstrate the unsafe conditions and the disregard for surfers'
rights.

����
(e)
�
The department shall implement a public
education campaign to inform both surfers and fishermen about their rights and
responsibilities in shared ocean spaces.

����
(f)
�
The department shall install clear signage at
designated surf locations indicating surfers' right of way and the rules
pertaining to fishing in that area.
�
The
department shall publish a map identifying all designated surf locations.

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(g)
�
This section may be enforced by the
department's division of conservation and resource enforcement, the department
of law enforcement, the respective county police departments, or the respective
county fire departments.

����
(h)
�
The department shall adopt rules pursuant to
chapter 91 necessary for the purpose of this section.

����
(i)
�
As
used in this section:

����
"Drone fishermen" means individuals
using drones to deploy fishing lines in proximity to recreational ocean users.

����
"Surfers" means individuals engaged
in surfing at designated surf locations.

����
"Designated surf location" means an
area recognized as safe and common locations for surfing, swimming, diving, and
other recreational activities, to be determined by the department of land and
natural resources.

����
"Department" means the department
of land and natural resources.

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

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Fishing;
Surfers; Recreational Areas; DLNR; Safety

Description:

Clarifies
that surfers have the right of way in designated surf locations to be
determined by the department of land and natural resources.
�
Authorizes penalties for fishermen who
violate this section.
�
Requires DLNR to
implement a public education campaign, erect clear signs, and create a
designated surf location map.

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