Relating To The Pupukea Marine Life Conservation District.
If enacted, this bill will empower the Department of Land and Natural Resources to actively study the effects of human use on specific locations within the Pupukea marine life conservation district. A phased approach will be utilized to monitor and document both mandatory and voluntary closures of high-traffic areas. The findings from this pilot program will lead to the development of long-term management strategies to ensure the health and abundance of marine life, aligning with Native Hawaiian cultural practices that call for adaptive management, including kapu or closures.
House Bill 1981 seeks to establish a three-year pilot program to assess the carrying capacity of the Pupukea marine life conservation district in Hawaii. This initiative comes in response to the growing concerns over the increased levels of human activity in sensitive marine areas, particularly at Shark's Cove and the Kapoo Tidepools, which are highly frequented by tourists and residents for recreational activities. The bill recognizes the need to address the threats posed to marine life and habitats due to the unhindered access and high visitor numbers that have escalated during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Debate surrounding HB 1981 highlights the tension between economic interests tied to tourism and the necessity for environmental protection. While proponents argue that the bill is essential for conserving biological diversity and ensuring sustainable tourism practices, some stakeholders express concerns regarding potential restrictions on access to public spaces. The lack of previous studies on carrying capacity in the Pupukea area complicates the discussions, with many advocating for an urgent need to impose effective regulations to mitigate the damaging effects of human interaction with fragile marine resources.