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SB246
THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
246
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating
to coral reefs
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that coral reefs are an extremely valuable resource.
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They are fundamental to the fabric of local
communities, providing a source of food, materials, and traditional activities,
while also providing tremendous economic value.
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The State's coral reefs generate over $800,000,000 per year in gross
revenues, and the estimated total economic value of coral reefs in the main
Hawaiian islands exceeds $33,000,000,000.
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Despite their extreme value, many reefs around the island of Oahu have
been degraded by poor land use practices and are dominated by dead coral
covered in seaweeds.
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The legislature further finds that the
maintenance and recovery of coral reefs require an abundant and diverse variety
of coral reef herbivores, which are fishes that eat seaweeds, including
parrotfishes (uhu), surgeonfishes (kala, kole, manini), and chubs (nenue).
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However, the population of coral reef
herbivores around Oahu is the lowest in the State, leaving coral reefs
dominated by seaweeds rather than corals, reducing opportunities for fishing
and other recreational, commercial, and traditional cultural activities.
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The legislature also finds that
ever-increasing ocean warming causes coral bleaching events that kill corals
and are predicted to occur every year in Hawaii before 2040.
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The legislature notes that reefs that bleach
recover more quickly and fully when coral reef herbivores exist in
abundance.
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However, existing statewide
fishing rules concerning coral reef herbivores may be insufficient to replenish
herbivore populations around Oahu before coral bleaching becomes an annual
event.
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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
require the department of land and natural resources to:
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(1)
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Conduct
a study on the population status of certain coral reef herbivores; and
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(2)
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Analyze
policies and strategies to restore the populations of coral reef herbivores
around Oahu.
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SECTION 2.
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(a)
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The department of land and
natural resources shall:
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(1)
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Conduct
a study on the population status of individual species and families of coral
reef herbivores around Oahu, prioritizing uhu and kala;
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(2)
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Conduct
an analysis of policies and strategies to substantially increase the
populations of coral reef herbivores around Oahu within a decade; and
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(3)
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Consult
with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Islands
Fisheries Science Center and other experts as necessary.
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(b)
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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 December 1, 2025.
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SECTION 3.
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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 and the same sum or
so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the study on
the population status of individual species of coral reef herbivore and
families around Oahu.
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The sums
appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and
natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
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Report Title:
DLNR;
NOAA; Coral Reef Herbivores; Coral Reefs; Report; Appropriations
Description:
Requires
the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a study on the
populations of coral reef herbivores around the island of Oahu and an analysis
of policies and strategies to increase the populations of coral reef herbivores
around Oahu, in consultation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center and other experts.
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Requires a report to the Legislature.
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Appropriates funds.
The summary description
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not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.