HB68 • 2026

RELATING TO THE KIKIAOLA SMALL BOAT HARBOR.

Budget

Active

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

Sponsor: MORIKAWA (Introduced by request of another party)
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary and text do not specify the exact amount of funds appropriated or the specific date by which the report must be submitted.

Study and Report on Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor

This bill requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to study how many boats can safely use Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kauai, report findings to lawmakers, and provides funding for this work.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a carrying capacity study of Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in Kauai County.
Includes assessing current rules and practices that limit use of the harbor.
Determines if commercial tour operators have increased passenger numbers without proper review.
Proposes long-term management options for reducing human impact on natural resources, cultural sites, and native species around the harbor.
Requires the department to submit a report with findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to lawmakers before 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

The Department of Land and Natural Resources
Kauai County
Community organizations in Kauai

Terms To Know

Carrying capacity: How many people or boats a place can handle without causing harm to natural resources, cultural sites, or visitor experiences.
Appropriation: Money set aside by the government for specific projects or activities.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how much money will be provided for the study.
It is unclear what actions lawmakers might take based on the report's recommendations.
The exact date when the department must submit its report to lawmakers has not been set.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to WAL, FIN, referral sheet 1
2025-01-16 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-13 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE KIKIAOLA SMALL BOAT HARBOR.
DLNR; Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor; Report; Appropriation ($)
Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study of the carrying capacity of Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor in the County of Kauai. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB68

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

68

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the KIKIAOLA small boat harbor
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
The department
of land and natural resources shall conduct a carrying capacity study of Kikiaola
small boat harbor in the county of Kauai.
�

The study shall:

����
(1)
�
Include
an assessment of the carrying capacity of the Kikiaola small boat harbor,
including an estimate of the number of persons and the amount of human activity
that the harbor can sustain without degrading natural resources, cultural
resources, or experiences by visitors and residents;

����
(2)
�
Assess
the effectiveness of existing use restrictions and management practices;

����
(3)
�
Determine
whether commercial tour operators have been allowed by the department to
increase the number of passengers allowed in their operations without review or
understanding of the effects on the harbor's infrastructure or natural
resources;

����
(4)
�
Assess
the potential effectiveness of visitor use restrictions and management
practices; and

����
(5)
�
Propose
long-term management options to reduce the impact of humans on the health and
abundance of natural resources, cultural resources, and native species within
and around the harbor.

����
(b)
�

In conducting the study, the department of land and natural resources
shall consult with the county of Kauai, relevant community organizations, and
other relevant entities.

����
(c)
�

The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report of
its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the
legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular
session of
2026.

����
SECTION 2.
�

There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $ or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the department
of land and natural resources to conduct a carrying capacity study of Kikiaola
small boat harbor in the county of Kauai.

����
The sum

appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural
resources for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION 3.
�

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DLNR;
Kikiaola
Small Boat Harbor; Report;
Appropriation

Description:

Requires
the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study of the carrying
capacity of
Kikiaola

Small Boat Harbor in the County of Kauai.
�

Requires a report to the Legislature.
�

Appropriates funds.

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