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HCR 68

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO COORDINATE THE TRANSFER OF SMALL BOAT HARBORS BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND TO ESTABLISH A MANAGEMENT TEAM TO DEVELOP TRANSITION PLANS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 9 co-sponsors

Hawaii legislature requests DOT and DLNR coordinate transferring small boat harbor management from DLNR to DOT and create transition plans.

The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Poepoe, Woodson, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Iwamoto; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
#dlnr #dot #smallboatharbors #transfer
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Bill Summary · HCR 68

Legislative bill overview

HCR 68 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) coordinate the transfer of small boat harbors from DLNR back to DOT and establish a management team to develop transition plans. This is a non-binding request rather than a law, asking state agencies to study and plan a reorganization of administrative responsibilities.

Why is this important

Small boat harbors are critical infrastructure for Hawaii's fishing industry, recreational boating, and coastal communities, affecting both economic activity and public access to marine resources. The administrative structure determines funding priorities, maintenance standards, operational efficiency, and user fees—issues that directly impact commercial fishers, recreational boaters, and harbor-dependent communities. This resolution indicates legislative concern that current management under DLNR may be underperforming compared to potential DOT oversight.

Potential points of contention

  • Jurisdictional clarity: The resolution doesn't explain why DOT would be better suited than DLNR to manage harbors, or what specific problems prompted this request, leaving the rationale unclear
  • Implementation costs and timeline: No budget or timeline is specified; the transition could be expensive and disruptive if harbor operations are interrupted during transfer
  • Stakeholder input: The resolution doesn't mandate consultation with fishing communities, recreational boaters, or current harbor users who depend on these facilities, potentially overlooking operational concerns

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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