HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2026-21, Draft 1COUNTY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF KAUA'I
~es O I utt On No. 2026-21, Draft 1
RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE BOARD OF LAND AND NATURAL
RESOURCES TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL
RESOURCES, DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES, TO ADOPT RULES,
OR ALTERNATIVELY URGING THE HAWAl'I STATE LEGISLATURE TO
ENACT LEGISLATION, PROHIBITING THE HARVEST
OF AQUATIC LIFE FROM STATE MARINE WATERS
FOR COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM PURPOSES
WHEREAS, Hawai'i's coral reef ecosystems are of immeasurable importance
to the people, culture, and economy of the islands, supporting biodiversity,
subsistence, and traditional Native Hawaiian practices tied to the principle of
aloha 'iiina (care for the land and sea); and
WHEREAS, Hawai'i's coral reefs are being pushed to their limits due to rising
ocean temperatures, repeated bleaching events, and human pressures; and
WHEREAS, herbivorous reef fish such as but not limited to yellow
tang (Zebrasoma jlavescens) and orangespine unicornfish (Naso lituratus) play
critical ecological roles in controlling algal growth, maintaining coral resilience, and
sustaining subsistence fisheries; and
WHEREAS, fish collected for the aquarium trade are frequently subjected to
severe stress and internal injuries, especially when brought to the surface rapidly,
which can lead to immediate or delayed death as recovery often requires extended,
low-stress conditions that are rarely provided in commercial handling; and
WHEREAS, since 2021, commercial aquarium collection has been prohibited
throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, based on various court proceedings, the Board of Land and
Natural Resources (BLNR) is planning to resume issuing aquarium fish permits; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR),
Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), has proposed new administrative rules to
reopen aquarium fish collection in West Hawai'i, allowing collectors to remove
various native species from the region with an annual permit; and
WHEREAS, even with past efforts to address concerns about reef protection,
the current proposal from DAR has moved forward without the depth of community
dialogue, cultural consideration, or independent scientific evaluation that many
believe is necessary, raising questions about whether the process aligns with
Hawai'i's constitutional responsibilities to safeguard natural resources, uphold the
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right to a healthy environment, and protect traditional and customary Native
Hawaiian practices; and
WHEREAS, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, with nearly 4,000
members, approved a resolution at its 66th annual convention to include as part of
its 2026 Legislative Package to the Hawai'i State Legislature a proposed bill to enact
a permanent statewide ban on commercial aquarium collection, affirming that
Hawai'i's reef ecosystems must be managed under the public trust doctrine for the
benefit of future generations rather than private profit; and
WHEREAS, several groups supported several bills during the 2026 legislative
session seeking to curtail or ban collection of aquarium fish, including the Office of
Hawaiian Affairs, Hawai'i County Council, Earthjustice, the Nature Conservancy,
Sierra Club of Hawai'i, Hawai'i Reef and Ocean Coalition, and For the Fishes; and
WHEREAS, in April 2026, the Hawai 'i First Circuit Environmental Court
ruled that the BLNR and DLNR have the legal authority to enact a complete,
statewide ban on commercial aquarium collection; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I,
STATE OF HAWAI'I, that the Council urges the Board of Land and Natural
Resources to direct the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of
Aquatic Resources, to adopt rules prohibiting the harvest of aquatic life from State
marine waters for commercial aquarium purposes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that, alternatively, the Council urges the
Hawai'i State Legislature to enact legislation prohibiting the harvest of aquatic life
from State marine waters for commercial aquarium purposes.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the County Clerk shall forward a copy of
this Resolution to Honorable Governor Josh Green, M.D., all Legislators of the
Hawai'i State Legislature, all Mayors and Council Chairpersons within Hawai'i, and
the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
Introduced by: /s/ FERN HOLLAND
V: \RESOLUTIONS\2024-2026 TERM\Resolution No 2026-21 Draft 1 Aquatic Life for Commercial
Aquarium Purposes JA_dmc.docx
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QCertificate <!&f ~boption
We berebp certifp tbat l\esolution ~o. 2026-21, Draft 1
was abopteb bp tbe Qtouncil of tbe Qtountp of Jkaua'i, ~tate of
~awai'i, J!Ibu'e, Jkaua'i, ~ahlai'i, on July 8, 2026.
Qtbairman & i)resibing ®fficer
~ateb July 8, 2026
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