DLNR Holding Public Hearing on Updates for Lobster, Crab Rules Updates Tuesday

Hawaiian spiny lobster. Photo courtesy of NOAA

In an effort to facilitate compliance with the rules regulating the take, possession and sale of Samoan crab, Kona crab and lobsters in state waters, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources has scheduled public hearings throughout the state this upcoming week, according to a DLNR news release.

The public hearing on Kaua‘i will be held at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Cafeteria in Puhi, Tuesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Currently, these species are regulated under statutory provisions as well as multiple rule chapters. The proposed consolidation will place all regulations in one rule chapter.

The proposed actions will not result in any substantive changes to existing laws. Hawai‘i Administrative Rules (HAR) chapters 13-84, relating to Samoan crab, and 13-89, relating to spiny lobster or ula and slipper lobster or ula papapa, would be repealed and their substantive provisions would be incorporated into chapter 13-95.

DAR also proposes to incorporate into HAR chapter 13-95 the statutory provisions of HRS §188-58.5, which prohibit the taking or killing of female Samoan and Kona crabs, and spiny lobsters.

Consolidating these rules into one rule chapter will facilitate compliance by making it easier to find all applicable regulations on these crustacean species. The take, possession, or sale of these resources will not be affected by these proposed administrative rulemaking actions.

Public Hearing Schedule

Tuesday, Jan. 7

• Kona – Kealakehe High School Cafeteria, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Kaua‘i – Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School Cafeteria, Puhi, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Lana‘i – Lana‘i Public Library, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
• Moloka‘i – Mitchel Pauole Center Conference Room, Kaunakakai, 1-3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 08

• O‘ahu – Stevenson Middle School Cafeteria, Honolulu, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Maui – Maui Division of Aquatic Resources Office Conference Room, Wailuku, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 9

• Hilo – Hilo State Building Conference Room, Hilo, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

People are encouraged to attend a public hearing to provide information and comment for the DLNR to consider. Those unable to attend or who wish to provide additional comments can submit written testimony via mail or e-mail by Friday, Jan. 24. to Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813. DLNR.aquatics@hawaii.gov

Anyone with a hearing impairment who would like to attend a public hearing may request the assistance of a sign language interpreter. Send requests to the DAR address above or call 587-0100 (voice or TDD) in Honolulu. Requests must be received at least seven days in advance.

Additional information or a copy of the proposed rules will be mailed at no charge upon receipt of verbal or written request to the DAR address or may be obtained from the DAR website at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/DAR under the “Announcements” section.