HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-19 GMAC Minutes Final Draft Game Management Advisory Commission
County of Hawaii
Minutes
(Draft)
Meeting Date: May 19, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Place: Zoom and In-Person 25 Aupuni Ctr., Ste. 1501, Hilo HI
The GMAC meeting was called to order by Chair Wong-Chong at 9:00 am.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:
District 1 - Robert Duerr(12131126)—Aye- In-person
District 2—Taysen Wong Chong(12131127)—Present—In-person
District 3—Kapono Kuikahi(12131130)-Aye—Zoom after the start of the meeting at 9:04am
District 4—Vacant
District S-Vacant
District 6—Vacant
District 7—Abel Aquino(12131126)—Present,via Zoom
District 8—David Okumura (12/31/30)—Present,via Zoom
District 9—Justin Ackerman (12131128)—Present,via Zoom
Quorum established.
STAFF: SinclairSalas-Ferguson, Deputy Attorney, Corporation Counsel, in-person:
Barbara Kossow,Administrative Specialist, Mayor's Kona Office,via Zoom
TWC: Housekeeping rules, please make sure your cell phones are turned off or on sign-in mode.To
all of us who are attending here in person, please remember to speak in the microphone
when you speak, so your statements can be recorded and transcribed. Under HRS 92-3 of
the Sunshine Law, GMAC may remove any person who willfully disrupts a meeting to prevent
or compromise the conduct of the meeting. All persons appearing before the GMAC are
reminded to conduct themselves in a courteous manner.
Testimonies.Those in person, if you'd like to testify, please fill out the public statement
registration form.To those on Zoom, if you would like to testify on an agenda item, please
provide your name and identify which item you would like to testify on.
Questions from the public,for those on Zoom,you may pose the question in the Zoom chat.
For those in person, you may write your question on the public statement registration form.
Please note that your questions may or may not be asked at the discretion of the chair.The
Zoom chat is not recorded and not part of any meeting minutes. The Zoom chat is not for
testimony or discussion. You will be recognized when it is time to submit a testimony. All
GMAC members are reminded that they will be recognized at the appropriate times for
questions and discussions.
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2. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS:
Interested people who want to provide oral testimony on any agenda item may do so now,
or at the time the specific agenda item is called, or at the sole discretion of the Chair.
3. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:
• Approval of minutes for the meeting held on April 29,2026—Deferred.
• Communications/Correspondence: None
• Next Meeting,Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Puna Conference Room, 1501, 25 Aupuni
St., Hilo HI 96720.
4. COMMISSIONER'S DISTRICT REPORTS:
a. Each Commissioner will provide updates and share concerns about their
respective districts; Commissioners to decide on whether to add those topics
at the next meeting and to invite the public to provide testimonies and
presentations at their meeting. There will otherwise be no discussion or voting,
which will be reserved for when it is itemized on a future agenda.
RD District 1. Commissioner Duerr spoke about the Chapter 91 Rules and Regulations, by
Department of Land and Natural Resources and Division of Aquatic Resources— Holomua
Marine Initiative for Hawaii Island. This is mainly to ensure that healthy reefs are maintained
to provide abundant fish and sustainable use for now as well as future generations.
The process is to have public input,community talk story sessions,a navigation team to plan
on drafting goals,solutions and actions. So, much going on, more information can be found
on their DLNR and DAR websites.
Wailoa River, State Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) poor record —
dredging,8 million.
Boaters reportthe harbor is nowdefinitely betterand deeperwith boats able to moor directly
across from the river mouth without grounding.
TWC District 2. Issues and concerns with Wailoa River and Ponds. Environmental and water
quality concerns—quality water testing for Wailoa River and ponds to monitor cyanobacteria
(blue-green algae) blooms.
The illegal dumping of pig carcasses in Kupuka and Maunaloa Mac Nuts areas. Concern
about diseases and damage to the environment.
Liliuokalani invasive seaweed—removal work continues.
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PK District 2. Illegal dumping of slop will continue at the landfill until the issue can bead dressed
and the person identified.
AA District 7. Overflow at Keauhou Boat Ramp continues to be an issue.
Concerned about"Baby Pond"at the Old Kona Airport-Homeowners-shoreline-arrest for
trespassing. Add as a future agenda item.
Action: A motion was made by R. Duerr to add a discussion on Public Access
issues at Baby Pond, Old Kona Airport. Seconded by D. Okumura. Motion carried
unanimously.
DO District 8. No report.
Holomua Hawaii Island upcoming sessions. See website for schedule.
JA District 9. No updates.
Go to DLNR website for meeting date(s)ungulate shooting range.
BLNR scheduled May 8t" relevant to ungulate hunting and shooting range regulations. This
meeting was part of a Notice of Rulemaking under HRS § 183D-3(b), Adaptive
Management Authority, which proposed amendments to Hawaii Administrative Rules
(HAR) for game mammal and game bird hunting. The proposed changes
included updating bag limits, hunting days, and special conditions for mammals, and
modifying open game bird hunting days — measures intended to address the impact of
invasive ungulate species.
5. PRESENTATION:
a. Presentation: Bill Stormont, Project Director of Mauna Kea Stewardship
and Oversight Authority to share background on Mauna Kea's cultural
significance, environmental resources, existing uses, and the
responsibilities involved in caringforthe Manua.
Deferred to a future date.
6. OLD BUSINESS:
a. GMAC report and discussion on the Permitted Interaction Group(PIG)regarding
Rules and Regulations Related to Manta Ray Tours, headed by former
commissioner Natalie Reynolds. Commissioners R. Duerrand,A.Aquino
The investigative report was given by Commissioners R. Duerr and A.Aquino.
5/13/26 GMAC's report,draft 3.
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Keauhou Small Boat Harbor Report Summary.GMAC's task"To advise County,
State and Federal agencies on matters related to the preservation of subsistence
hunting and fishing and protecting traditional and cultural gathering rights." This
report is from the fisher,gather and traditional rights viewpoint.
The Keauhou Small Boat Harbor.According to DLNR's Division of Boating and
Ocean Recreation: Keauhou Harbor has 12 moorings,a double-lane 30-foot-wide
launch ramp,a pier, loading dock area,vessel wash down area and trailer parking.
Public restrooms are available.
Hawaii Small Boat Harbor is located on the West Coast of Hawaii approximately
five miles south of Kailua-Kona International Airport. The small boat harbor has an
inventory of moorings comprised of Tahiti moored in harbor buoys on tenant owned
buoys.
Amenities are minimal and include a double lane,30-foot-wide. The bay is 300
yards wide and lies between two lava flows. The harbor is well protected
accommodating offshore moorings on owner buoys. Loading and unloading pier is
available.
There are currently 12 vessels occupying the harbor;the CBRE appraisal writes
"however, harbor representatives estimate the total number of vessels the harbor
could accommodate ranges from 20 to 24 vessels."
"I have fished this ramp for over 50 years. We want the fishers to have a place to
launch and fish for food. Don't forget about the fishers. Keep the aloha. Don't let
locals get run over."
Parking Overload. Keauhou is an active harbor. There is limited parking so
overcrowding is a problem. Lack of signage is an issue. Tourists sightseeing, ocean
adventure clients,fishers and canoe and kayakers intermingle with no clear sense
of direction. There are buses. Wednesday Market located there adds to the
congestion.
`A fisher writes"I came in the other night. Mellow and then 20-40 people at the
ramp."
Loading Dock Crowding. Fishers comment that the loading docks are not being
used to secure your boat, back trailer in and haul boat out.
Complaints are that some boats seem to be tied at old pier sideways while the
finger pier has the same problem. The finger pier has boats mooring on it. Zodiacs
use the ramp to load tourists instead of loading and then launching,there's canoes
and kayaks in the mix.
Some boat operators seem to be deliberately slow in hauling their boats seemingly
"working the tourists for tips." Some fishers setup their fishing tackle on the ramp
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instead of before or after launching. Pedestrians mingle all around and are often
not aware or pay attention.
"Doesn't look safe."
Navigating and Safety Issues. Manta Ray viewing is a popular attraction and
Keauhou Bay has one of the prime viewing sites that has led to a potentially
dangerous situation.
Boats are taking ocean adventurers to view manta rays. These boats use lights to
attract and engage the mantas. The boats put their clients with various levels of
ocean experience in the water at night and leave them swimming while the boat
drifts off the manta feeding site in a process called live boating.
Coast Guard input on this situation would seem appropriate.
An ika shibi fisher writes, "I came in from fishing South Pointin the dark. At night it
is hard to see the light at the Keauhou Ramp because there's boats lit up with
people drifting on the mantas. Coming in at dark after fishing and loading the fish
box, tired. And I do not want to run over a tourist. You just ruined your life. I'm
trying to protect them. This is trouble."
DOBOR'S Commercial Mission Part of the problem at Keauhou is that DLNR
Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation's"Modernizing Ocean Recreation
Management in Hawaii Strategic Action Plan-2019."DOBOR in this plan wants to
privatize boating and focus on ocean recreation. DOBOR wants tourism dollars
and says,"the boom in ocean recreation,the weather,and Hawaii's landscape and
culture-the engine that keeps Hawaii's economy healthy-does not result in a
windfall in funding for DLNR or DOBOR."
DOBOR had a statutory mandate to promote fishing they removed this in their rules
package passed in 2019. DOBOR gets a monthly fee and a percentage of income
from tour operators. This chasing the"windfall in funding"led DOBOR to over
commit to commercial boating. DOBOR is now in the process of attempting to
limit manta tours,a difficult task after they allowed businesses to invest in
Keauhou harbortourism.
"We fish for food. It can take$800 to pay fora trip. Unlike the tourist trade we don't
make our money before we go."
Description: Hahalua the Manta Ray. Hahalua is the Hawaiian word for manta
ray. This description of the halalua manta ray is from Papahanamokuakea
Monument pittps://www.papalia riau.uurma;:ku.uakea.go
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Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument
Creature Feature: Manta
Mai to fray a� INAoIkurnainarnaina Plhok)CrediL vlames,Waft
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Manta rays (Manta birostris, h5h5lua in Hawaiian) are large fish, weighing up to
3,000 lbs. Their wingspan can exceed 20 feet, and the largest manta recorded was
23 ft. They have cartilaginous skeletons and are related to sharks. One of the
defining features of these fish are their pair of"cephalic flaps" which act to funnel
water into the mouth. When curled up, these flaps resemble horns projecting from
the head. Mantas are harmless to humans, but can be quite intimidating when seen
up close due to their immense size. They prey upon tiny plankton and swoop in
great looping circles with their gaping mouths open wide. Similar to humpback
whale fluke patterns, mantas can be identified by the pattern of blotches and dark
spots on their undersides. At one time there were thought to be several species of
manta but recent DNA research by Tim Clark at the University of Hawaii has shown
they are all the same species.
DOBOR head a public meeting on mantas at the West Hawaii Civil Center in
February 2023. At this meeting there were Hawaiian kupuna who took issue with
the hahalua being used as a tourist attraction.
Kamehameha Schools Keauhou Bay Project.
Kamehameha Schools,the beneficiary of land surrounding Keauhou Bay is
proposing development and improvements and has written and released a Bay
Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement.
According to Kamehameha School,"Since the proposed Keauhou Bay
Management Plan is located within the shoreline area,as defined in Hawaii
Revised Statutes section 20SA-41,a County Special Management Area (SMA) Use
Permit is required. To obtain the permit, Kamehameha Schools must complete the
State Environmental Review Process,starting with the preparation and review of an
Environmental Impact Statement(EIS)."
The statutory 4S-day public review and comment period on the Draft EIS ended on
August 7,2024, however,community groups who oppose the development are still
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providing outreach and collecting signatures. More information on their efforts can
be found at hhps://bigistandsupport.com/savekbay.
KS Management Plan Overview(including video):
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Link to Management Plan document:
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EIS Document Volume
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Planning for Future Growth.
"Kona growing. Managinggrowth. Needs to be managed closer. I mean, I'm not
against folks hustling and making money. Good for them. But locals do we all get
kicked out? Where is the entity running this. Somebody is going to get killed."
Game Management Advisory Commission Purpose:To advise County,State and
Federal agencies on matters related to the preservation of subsistence hunting and
fishing and protecting traditional and cultural gathering rights. Authority: Hawaii
County Charter,Section 6-9-3.Appointment: By the mayor and confirmed by the
council in the manner prescribed in Section 13-4, Hawaii County Charter. Full
Membership: Nine (9) members. Specific Representation: One resident member for
each council district established by the previous redistricting commission.
b. GMAC report on the Permitted Interaction Group(PIG)investigates firearm
range improvements at mile marker 16 on Saddle Road,also known as Camp
Morita. CommissionerJ.Ackerman
The investigative report was given by Commissioner Ackerman. Research/develop
range criteria. More information at a future meeting.
c. Discussion regarding recruitment of people to fill vacant GMAC seats.
It was suggested that a flyer be created for vacant seats.
d. GMAC development of an informational/marketing brochure design markups for
Commissioners to consider. Chair T. Wong Chong
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Pass chair Turalde will submit a draft of the brochure at a future meeting.
It was suggested,to add a QR code to the brochure.
e. Presentation by Planning Department regarding Makahanaloa Fishing
Association's complaint regarding fishing access at TMK:(3)2-8-012:028,the
public access easement on the Pepeekeo shoreline,and GMAC's
recommendations to the County's General Plan. Commissioner R. Duerr
It was determined that Blake McNaughton who is the president of Makahanaloa
Fishing Association be invited to attend GMAC when Planning Dept.does its
presentation in July 2026.
f. Presentation: DOCARE will discuss new recruits and allocation of personnel on
land and water.
Discuss at a future meeting.
g. Presentation: USDA will discuss wild game harvest,game management,and
game diseases.
Discuss at a future meeting.
h. Presentation: Mauna Kea Oversight Authority will provide an update regarding
hunting access on Mauna Kea.
Discuss at a future meeting.
i. The Commission intends to discuss topics for future GMAC agenda
presentations. Chair Wong Chong
j. The commission will discuss the sewer discharge issue in Keaukaha and who to
invite for a presentation on the issue and if it has any effect on marine life.
Research continues locating presenters.
k. Discussion regarding whether GMAC meetings can be held from 6:00 p.m.to
8:00 p.m.and status of Commissioner vacancies. Also,determine if a PIG
should be formed.
A motion was made by Commissioner Duerr to write a letter requesting to
change meeting hours from 9:00-11:00 am to 6:00-8:00 pm be sent to the mayor.
Second, by Commissioner Wong-Chong. Motion carried unanimously.
1. Discussion and Decision Making:On the final draft GMAC 2025 second,third,
and fourth,quarter reports. CommissionerR. Duerr
Report at a future meeting.
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7. NEW BUSINESS: None.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS: None
9. ADJOURNMENT:
Action:A motion was made by J.Ackerman to adjourn the meeting.Seconded by
A.Aquino. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 10AS a.m.
Respectfully submitted by,
Barbara Kossow
Secretary
Bk 7/13/26
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