SB2818 • 2026

RELATING TO BOATING.

Children Crime

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: MORIWAKI, CHANG, SAN BUENAVENTURA, Hashimoto
Last action: 2026-05-08
Official status: Enrolled to Governor.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details about how strictly penalties will be enforced or their exact impact on public safety.

Boating and Ocean Recreation Penalties

This bill clarifies the penalties for violations related to boating and ocean recreation in Hawaii.

What This Bill Does

Clarifies that people who violate boating or ocean recreation laws can be fined up to $1,000 or imprisoned for up to thirty days, or both.
Lists specific violations such as reckless operation of a vessel, unauthorized mooring, and animal abandonment within state small boat harbors or boating facilities.
Allows the environmental court to restrict someone from operating any vessel in certain areas if they are on probation.

Who It Names or Affects

People who violate boating and ocean recreation laws
The Department of Land and Natural Resources, which enforces these rules

Terms To Know

Petty misdemeanor: A minor crime that can result in a fine or short jail time.
Environmental court: A special court that deals with cases related to environmental laws and regulations.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, or proceedings that were begun before its effective date.
It is unclear how strictly these penalties will be enforced or what the exact impact on public safety will be.

Amendments

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

CD1

Hawaii published version CD1

Plain English: SB2818 CD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2818 CD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2818 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
2 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: SB2818 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2818 HD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2818 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
2 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

HD2

Hawaii published version HD2

Plain English: SB2818 HD2 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2818 HD2 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2818 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
2 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: SB2818 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2818 SD1 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2818 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BOATING .

SD2

Hawaii published version SD2

Plain English: SB2818 SD2 THE SENATE S.B.

SB2818 SD2 THE SENATE S.B.
NO.
2818 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
2 STATE OF HAWAII A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BOATING .

Bill History

2026-05-08 S
Enrolled to Governor.
2026-05-08 S
Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
2026-05-06 H
Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
2026-05-06 H
Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Amato voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Iwamoto, Matsumoto, Muraoka voting no (6) and none excused (0).
2026-05-06 S
Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none).
2026-04-29 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
2026-04-29 H
Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 81-26) as amended in (CD 1).
2026-04-29 S
48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
2026-04-29 S
Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 81-26).
2026-04-28 H
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 2 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Tarnas; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Cochran; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-04-28 S
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Rhoads; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lamosao.
2026-04-27 S
Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 9:00AM; CR 229.
2026-04-24 S
Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-27-26 9:00AM; CR 229.
2026-04-23 S
Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 811).
2026-04-22 H
House Conferees Appointed: Hashem, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Cochran.
2026-04-21 H
Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 718).
2026-04-21 S
Senate Conferees Appointed: Lee, C. Chairs; Rhoads Co-Chair; Lamosao.
2026-04-16 H
Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
2026-04-16 S
Senate disagrees with House amendments.
2026-04-16 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 706).
2026-04-14 H
Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Matsumoto, Muraoka voting no (5) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-04-10 H
Deferred one day 04-14-26.
2026-04-08 H
Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 04-10-26.
2026-04-08 H
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1830-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-04-02 H
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Cochran, Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Sayama.
2026-03-31 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 04-02-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-30 H
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Lowen, Perruso, Quinlan excused (4).
2026-03-30 H
Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1528-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
2026-03-24 H
The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Ichiyama, Poepoe, Woodson, Souza; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Iwamoto, Shimizu; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti.
2026-03-20 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by WAL on Tuesday, 03-24-26 9:00AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-03-12 H
Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 17
2026-03-12 H
Pass First Reading
2026-03-10 H
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 306) in amended form (SD 2).
2026-03-10 S
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
2026-03-06 S
48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26.
2026-03-06 S
Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3064) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
2026-03-03 S
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.
2026-02-24 S
The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
2026-02-20 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
2026-02-20 S
Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2516) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
2026-02-06 S
The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.
2026-02-03 S
The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 1:00PM; CR 224 & Videoconference.
2026-01-30 S
Referred to WLA, JDC.
2026-01-26 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-01-23 S
Introduced.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO BOATING.
Boating and Ocean Recreation; Penalties
Clarifies the penalties for violations of boating and ocean recreation laws pursuant to chapter 200, HRS. Clarifies the violations that constitute unauthorized conduct. (CD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB2818

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2818

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO BOATING
.

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

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that small boat
harbors and boating facilities are some of the most heavily utilized facilities
in the State, for both commercial and non-commercial use and by residents and
tourists alike.
�
The division of
conservation and resources enforcement of the department of land and natural
resources is responsible for enforcing all statutes and administrative rules under
the department's jurisdiction but spends a large part of its time responding to
violations in small boat harbors and boating facilities.

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The legislature also finds that enforcement
efforts at small boat harbors and boating facilities are necessary to ensure
public health and safety and to prevent vandalism, theft, trespassing, and
squatting.
�
The legislature believes
that, in order to deter violators and repeat offenders, stricter penalties are
needed.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
clarify penalties for violations of boating and ocean recreation laws.

����
SECTION
2
.
�
Section 200-14, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended as follows:

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1.
�

By amending subsection (a) to read:

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"
(a)
�

Any person who violates any provision in this chapter, or
any

rule adopted by the department, relating to [
boating accidents, reckless or
unauthorized operation of a vessel, unauthorized mooring of a vessel,
unauthorized commercial activity, unauthorized camping within state small boat
harbors or boating facilities, animal abandonment within state small boat harbors
or boating facilities, or creation of animal colonies within state small boat
harbors or boating facilities shall be guilty of a petty misdemeanor and shall
be fined not more than $1,000.
]
the following shall be guilty of a petty
misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $1,000, or imprisoned for not more
than thirty days, or both:

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(1)
�
Boating
accidents and boating accident reporting requirements;

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(2)
�
Diver's
flag display requirements;

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(3)
�
Vessel
or thrill craft speed restrictions;

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(4)
�
Personal
flotation device requirements;

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(5)
�
Reckless
or careless operation of a vessel or thrill craft;

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(6)
�
Operating
a vessel or thrill craft without valid mandatory safety education;

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(7)
�
Operating
a vessel or thrill craft without insurance coverage required by section
200-13.5;

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(8)
�
Unauthorized
mooring, anchoring, or storage of a vessel or thrill craft;

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(9)
�
Unauthorized
operation or control of a vessel or thrill craft;

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(10)
�
Unauthorized
commercial activity within state small boat harbors, boating facilities, or
state ocean waters;

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(11)
�
Unauthorized
camping within state small boat harbors or boating facilities;

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(12)
�
Unauthorized
access to restricted areas within state small boat harbors or boating
facilities;

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(13)
�
Serving,
sale, consumption, or possession of intoxicating liquor within state small boat
harbors or boating facilities, except where permitted by law or rule;

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(14)
�
Operating
a vessel or thrill craft under the influence of an intoxicant, as defined in
section 291E-1;

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(15)
�
Falsifying
a permit, vessel title, or vessel registration issued under this chapter,
chapter 200A, or any rules adopted thereunder, with intent to avoid compliance,
or conceal or misrepresent the identity of a permittee, vessel, or owner; or

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(16)
�
Animal
abandonment within state small boat harbors or boating facilities, or creation
of animal colonies within state small boat harbors or boating facilities.
"

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2.
�

By amending subsection (c) to read:

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"(c)
�

As a condition of probation pursuant to sections 706‑623 and
706-624, or as a condition to the suspension of any criminal penalties, the
environmental court may provide that the defendant refrain from operating any
vessel, including but not limited to any thrill craft or vessel engaged in
parasailing or water sledding, in specified geographical areas of the waters of
the State[
.
]
, for a period not to exceed twelve months.
"

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SECTION 3.
�

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

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SECTION 4.
�

New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 5.
�

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DLNR;
DOBOR;

Boating and
Ocean Recreation; Penalties

Description:

Clarifies
the penalties for violations of boating and ocean recreation laws pursuant to chapter
200, HRS.

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