REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

SR28

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

28

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the establishment of a marine life
conservation district carrying capacity study task force to develop a statewide
implementation plan
.

����
WHEREAS, the
State's
marine life conservation districts
protect
vital marine ecosystems and support cultural practices, recreation, education,
and local livelihoods; and

����
WHEREAS, increasing
human use of nearshore areas, including activities considered non-extractive,
can significantly affect marine ecosystems and resource health; and

����
WHEREAS, understanding
human-use thresholds and ecological response is essential to ensure marine life
conservation districts are effectively managed and protected; and

����
WHEREAS, carrying
capacity studies are a critical tool for informing science-based management and
long-term sustainability; and

����
WHEREAS, the
Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources'
community-driven Holomua Marine Initiative identifies monitoring, which
includes measuring conditions, tracking management outcomes, and using data to
guide adaptive management, as a core pillar of improved marine management
statewide; and

����
WHEREAS, the
State would benefit from a coordinated, phased, and prioritized approach to
conducting marine life conservation districts carrying capacity studies; and

����
WHEREAS, the
collaborative management, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement associated
with the Carrying Capacity Pilot Program for the Pūpūkea Marine Life
Conservation District, which was established by Act 31, Session Laws of Hawaii
2022, demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated partnerships among
government agencies, researchers, community groups, and ocean users, and
provide a successful model that may be adopted for marine life conservation
districts statewide; now, therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is
requested to convene and provide administrative support for a Marine Life
Conservation District Carrying Capacity Study Task Force (Task Force); and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to develop a comprehensive statewide
implementation framework to guide the future establishment of a Marine Life
Conservation District Carrying Capacity Program (Program); and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to:

����
(1)
�
Build an interdisciplinary planning framework
for conducting marine life conservation districts carrying capacity studies;

����
(2)
�
Develop a prioritized list and recommended
sequencing for studies across marine life conservation districts statewide;

����
(3)
�
Establish recommended study design standards,
timelines, and update intervals;

����
(4)
�
Identify staffing, technical, and
administrative needs to implement the Program; and

����
(5)
�
Identify and recommend necessary legislative
appropriations, funding mechanisms, and resource requirements to establish and
sustain the Program; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Task Force is encouraged to include or invite representatives
or designees from:

����
(1)
�
The Department of Land and Natural Resources;

����
(2)
�
County governments;

����
(3)
�
The University of Hawai
ʻ
i;

����
(4)
�
Community-based marine resource stewardship
organizations;

����
(5)
�
Commercial ocean recreation operators that
operate in marine life conservation districts, including scuba and snorkel
charter operators and surf schools; and

����
(6)
�
Other subject matter experts and stakeholders
identified by the Department of Land and Natural Resources; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Task Force is urged to submit a report of its findings and
recommendations, including any proposed legislation with appropriations for the
formal establishment of the Program, to the Legislature no later than twenty
days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Mayor of each
county of the State, and President of the University of Hawai
ʻ
i.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

DLNR;
DAR; UH; MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY TASK FORCE;
PLAN; REPORT