HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 422 Draft 01 2024-2026COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
RESOLUTION NO.
STATE OF HAWAII
422 25
A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE TO PROHIBIT
THE HARVEST OF AQUATIC LIFE FROM STATE MARINE WATERS FOR
COMMERCIAL AQUARIUM PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, on October 5, 2011, the Hawaii County Council adopted Resolution No.
130-11, Draft 2, urging the Hawaii State Legislature to amend Chapter 188, Hawaii Revised
Statutes, to prohibit the sale of aquatic life for aquarium purposes, recognizing that reef fish
populations were being depleted by aquarium collection practices and calling for statewide
legislative action to protect Hawai`i's marine ecosystems; and
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 `aina (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 unicomfrsh (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, some commercial and sport fishers incorrectly practice venting (puncturing
the swim bladder of fish), which is inhumane and inconsistent with best practices of the global
aquarium trade, and knowingly causing such injuries is considered cruelty to animals and a
violation of Section 711-1109, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic
Resources (DAR), has proposed new administrative rules to reopen aquarium fish collection in
West Hawaii, 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 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 Hawaii State Legislature a proposed bill to enact a permanent statewide ban on
commercial aquarium collection, affirming that Hawai`Ps reef ecosystems must be managed
under the public trust doctrine for the benefit of future generations rather than private profit;
now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I that the
Hawaii State Legislature is hereby urged to enact legislation that prohibits the harvest of aquatic
life from State marine waters for commercial aquarium purposes.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be transmitted to the
Honorable Joshua B. Green, M.D., Governor of the State of Hawaii; the Honorable Ronald D.
Kouchi, President of the Hawaii Senate; the Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura, Speaker of the
Hawai` i House of Representatives; the Honorable C. Kimo Alameda, Ph.D., Mayor of the
County of Hawaii; the Honorable Derek S. K. Kawakami, Mayor of the County of Kauai; the
Honorable Richard T. Bissen, Mayor of the County of Maui; the Honorable Richard "Rick"
Blangiardi, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu; and Dawn N. S. Chang, Chairperson of
the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Dated at Kona , Hawai`i, this 23rd day of January , 20 26 .
C CIL MEMBER, COONTY OF flAWAIII
COUNCIkAEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI`I
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
1 hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawaii on January 23, 2026
ATTEST:
e2�'177CL�ER17.AHR4PER!OPN W&PRESIDING OFFICER
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES
NOES
ABS
EX
GALIMBA
X
HUSTACE
X
INABA
X
KAGIWADA
X
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER
X
KIERKIEWICZ
X
KIMBALL
X
ONISHI
X
VILLEGAS
X
6
0
3
0
C-656/GOEAC -89
RESOLUTION NO. .e. r