Hawaii House Bill HR150

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/23
• Refer: 3/15/23
• Report Pass: 4/4/23

Caption

Requesting The Department Of The Attorney General To Investigate, Review, And Pursue All Applicable Civil Claims And Criminal Charges Against The Owner And Commercial Operator Of The Yacht "nakoa".

Impact

The bill is significant for state environmental law and marine resource management, particularly concerning the maintenance of the Honolua-Mokuleia Bay Marine Life Conservation District. The request for a thorough review of the events surrounding the grounding aims to hold responsible parties accountable for potential violations of environmental laws. It underscores the necessity of enforcing regulations to protect state waters and respond adequately to environmental incidents that threaten marine life and local ecosystems.

Summary

House Resolution 150 (HR150) requests the Department of the Attorney General of Hawaii to investigate and pursue civil claims and criminal charges against the owner and commercial operator of the luxury yacht 'Nakoa.' This comes in response to an incident that occurred on February 20, 2023, when the vessel ran aground near Honolua Bay, a region known for its cultural and ecological significance. The yacht's grounding caused environmental harm, including fuel leakage into the ocean, triggering a multi-agency response for cleanup and salvage operations.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HR150 include concerns about the legality of operational practices by Noelani Yacht Charters, LLC, the company that managed the Nakoa. There are wider implications regarding how environmental laws are enforced and whether existing regulations were sufficient to prevent the incident. There is also a public expectation for accountability to ensure the area remains protected for both its ecological health and community access. The investigation is positioned not only as a means to address this specific incident but also as a signal to discourage negligence among commercial operators in sensitive areas.