HONOLULU (KHON2) — In March, severe weather hit the state during back-to-back Kona low storm systems during a peak time for visitors.

Total tourism loss during the storms is estimated at over $300 million, according to the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

The severe weather prompted trip cancellations from visitors, resulting in about $14 million in hotel revenue loss.

But businesses from every sector can feel the economic impact of losing Spring Break travelers.

“With the lack of visitors that are coming is the lack of people going to restaurants, people going to shopping and people just enjoying the state in general,” James Kunane Tokioka, Director of the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said.

Oahu’s North Shore was hit hard with what was described as catastrophic flooding and has been on the road to recovery ever since.

“For most people who come to Oahu, they’ll take a day and drive out to the North Shore, but that visitor was not coming,” Tokioka said. “Haleiwa, in my understanding, was fine, but people didn’t want to go out there because of the destruction in Waialua and that’s understandable. What’s sad is that a lot of the businesses out there have been decimated as far as visitors coming out there.”

Tokioka said that a grant program for impacted businesses will be available soon with the new federal funds approved.

“That money is going to be circulated through DBEDT to the City and County of Oahu and it’s $400 million. Then, $100 million will be going to Maui and Hawaii Island to help small businesses with grants.”

He added, “There’s certainly paperwork that has to be done.  A similar thing happened in Lahaina when the fires happened. But this time we know better how to get it out faster. If anyone’s business was affected, keep an eye out for the City’s announcement.”

Until then, officials are asking residents to give flood-impacted businesses revenue.

“Residents on this island, instead of going to your local place for now, you might want to just take a drive out to the North Shore on the weekend, or if you are off on the weekday, and help the restaurants and the businesses out there. I know a lot of them are tourist locations or tourist shops. But, you know, it’s fun to be a tourist every now and then,” Tokioka said

A ban on aquarium fishing off Oahu moved forward Tuesday, with the Senate passing by a vote of 19-6 its third reading of a bill received from the House.

In its current state, HB 2101 prohibits commercial aquarium fishing in counties with a population greater than 500,000, which would only apply to the City and County of Honolulu. It also would only last until the
Holomua Marine Initiative, the Division of Aquatic Resources nearshore resource management approach
establishing rules for the practice.

Previous versions of the bill asked for a ban in counties with populations between 200,000 and 300,000 — which only applied to
Hawaii County — as well as a statewide ban.

It will now move on to conference committee, where members of each chamber will further discuss whether the bill requires changes, should pass or not move forward.

Those in support of the ban say the trade harms reef ecosystems and is at odds with Hawaii’s pubic trust doctrine, which requires the state to manage water, land and natural resources for the benefits of the public. The doctrine also prioritizes Native Hawaiian rights, ecosystem health and public use over private commercial interests.

Specifically when it comes to marine resources, the doctrine said, the state must ensure any approved mariculture trade protects the public’s use and enjoyment of the reefs.

Those against the bill, however, argue it hurts family and small businesses that depend on aquarium fishing for income, despite the trade not being allowed since 2017, when a court declared all aquarium fish permits illegal and void because the permitting process did not comply with environmental assessment requirements.

Prospective aquarium fishers say they have spent large amounts of money and time going through environmental review processes to comply with state law and the court’s decision, only for a ban to move forward in the Legislature, which they say isn’t fair.

The legislative move comes on the heels of the Division of Aquatic Resources, known as “DAR” and a part of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, holding two public meetings soliciting public comment to modify rules that would reopen the trade in West Hawaii, where the controversial issue is most prevalent.

The two meetings were held back-to-back on March 31 and April 1, with one being on Zoom and the other in-person at Kealakahe High School in Kailua-Kona.

The proposed rules would establish statewide requirements for aquarium fishing permits, which would include Hawaii Environmental Policy Act compliance. They would also repeal the permit and rules that were specific to West Hawaii and replace it with new terms and conditions, an approved-species list and impose annual catch limits specific to the area.
It would also establish enforcement parameters and additional registration
requirements.

Both meetings drew dozens of residents who opposed reopening the trade altogether. Many cited environmental concerns while others questioned the government’s ability to effectively enforce its rules.

“Our coral reefs have already been under extreme stress,” Inga Gibson, policy director for Pono Advocacy LLC, said in the March 31 meeting. “It’s just really irresponsible to, of all times, consider reopening the trade.”

David McGuire said reopening the trade would “swing wide the doors for poaching.”

“We’re going to have rampant poaching, as we had before,” McGuire said. “We know that will happen because DAR has essentially no presence over here, they’ve never done significant enforcement of the aquarium collection trade.”

McGuire said DAR would have to be on the water and at docks and boat ramps
frequently to effectively enforce its rules, but said the agency shows up only about once per year asking to look for fire extinguishers and life jackets. He also expressed concern about fishermen misrepresenting their reported catches to authorities.

Renee Umberger said reopening the trade in West Hawaii was “a deep betrayal of trust” that went against a community-driven effort to protect coral reefs.

“The reality is simple,” she said. “We need more
native fish — not fewer.”

Lena Alalei, with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, said the agency opposed the reopening of the trade because it has negatively impacted
Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices through unneeded commercial extraction and environmental risk. Alalei said DAR should pause any rule-­making and progress on reopening until current litigation and the bill in the Legislature have outcomes.

Those who supported aquarium fishing reopening contend data shows fish populations are healthy and that the trade did not negatively affect coral reefs.

Ron Tubbs, who spoke in support of the trade, said instead of focusing on aquarium trade, those worried about coral reefs should turn their attention to addressing pollution and storm runoff. He said data showed aquarium fisheries could be
sustainably managed.

“If we have healthy reefs with no runoff and without tourists chasing them out of their area, then we end up with healthy fisheries to go,” Tubbs said.

Darryl Smith said there shouldn’t be a difference between commercial fishers collecting for food and fishers collecting for aquariums.

“There’s no difference
between that and a person who collects an aquarium fish in a sustainable manner and then sells it to provide food for his family, they are equivalent,” Smith said. “We’re using it for a purpose you may not agree with, but the biomass percentage is like minutia compared to food fishing in general.”

DAR is expected to submit findings and recommendations to the Board of Land and Natural Resources soon, but did not give a specified date. If approved, the rules would then go to the Attorney General’s Office then the governor for final approval.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – After a failed bill at the state legislature prompted a top law enforcement official to step down, Gov. Josh Green called out the lawmaker he believes could have prevented the measure’s death and the director’s departure.

Department of Law Enforcement Director Mike Lambert decided to leave his post after House Bill 2358, which would adjust the retirement system, did not move forward.

“I’m just bummed about the scenario altogether,” Lambert said.

The measure, which would have allowed Lambert to keep his pension earned as a Honolulu police officer, did not get a hearing in the Senate Labor and Technology Committee.

Green ridiculed state Sen. Brandon Elefante, who chairs the group, for not scheduling a hearing.

“It really stinks when a single legislator just refuses to do the job and people should hear that. They should hear from me that he blew this one and he owes it to the people to do better on public safety in the future,” Gov. Josh Green said.

We reached out to Elefante and are waiting to hear back.

To keep his full benefits he earned after serving more than 20 years at HPD, Lambert decided to return to the department.

If he were to remain in his current role, and receive less pay than he would at HPD, he would lose out on about $20,000 a year in retirement pay.

The former department major has to serve five more years until he can earn his pension, which he hopes to do as the next Honolulu police chief, which he vied for four years ago.

“I’m a much stronger candidate this time around, I think some of the concerns were I didn’t have any executive experience, I was able to check box that, some were concerned with my youth and I’m four years older,” Lambert added.

When Lambert leaves DLE, deputy director Jared Redulla will serve as acting director until a permanent one is appointed.

“I’m sure Deputy Redulla will do a very good job,” Green commended.

Lambert plans to step down in late June or early July.

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