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SR 28

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 6 co-sponsors

Hawaii requests a task force to study and plan how many visitors/activities marine conservation districts can sustainably support without environmental damage.

Referred to WLA.
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Bill Summary · SR 28

Legislative bill overview

SR 28 requests the creation of a task force to study and develop a statewide plan for establishing marine life conservation districts with carrying capacity limits in Hawaii. The task force would assess how many visitors and activities various marine areas can sustainably support before environmental degradation occurs. This is a resolution requesting action rather than legislation that directly implements policy.

Why is this important

Hawaii's marine ecosystems face mounting pressure from tourism, fishing, and coastal development. Carrying capacity studies determine sustainable use thresholds—exceeding them can damage coral reefs, fish populations, and water quality that both locals and the tourism industry depend on. A statewide implementation plan could guide where and how to restrict access or activities to protect marine resources long-term.

Potential points of contention

  • Economic vs. conservation tradeoffs: Limiting access to marine areas may reduce tourism revenue and restrict fishing rights, creating tension between environmental protection and economic interests
  • Enforcement challenges: Implementing carrying capacity restrictions requires monitoring and enforcement infrastructure that could be costly and difficult to administer across multiple districts
  • Defining "carrying capacity": Scientific uncertainty exists around precisely how much use specific marine ecosystems can tolerate, making thresholds potentially contested or subject to revision
  • Impact on local communities: Restrictions could disproportionately affect native Hawaiians and local fishermen who have traditional marine resource rights and practices

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

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