Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB86: Relating to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Status: In committee, April 17, 2026
Appropriates moneys to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) permanent Makai Watch Coordinator position.
What the bill says
A bill foran act relating to the department of land and natural resources.
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FORAN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the nearshore marine resources of the State are increasingly affected by both local and global stressors, indicating that current state management measures may be insufficient for ensuring long-term sustainability. The legislature further finds that the makai watch program was designed to enhance collaboration and minimize conflicts among nearshore resource users. Since its inception in the early 2000s, the program has effectively connected community stewards with government agencies, fostering positive relationships and meaningful engagement. The outcomes of the program include heightened awareness of relevant regulations and ecosystem conditions within designated areas, along with improved collaboration among makai watch, the department of land and natural resources' division of conservation and resources enforcement, division of aquatic resources, division of boating and ocean recreation, and the communities they serve. HB86 SDl LRB 25-1749.docx iiiilii Bill iiniiE Illi I mill Page 2 H.B. NO. The legislature recognizes that makai watch continues to be a vital and expanding resource for co-managing nearshore areas, ensuring these ecosystems remain healthy and plentiful for both current and future generations of Hawaii. Additionally, community enthusiasm for enhanced co-managed stewardship is strong across many of Hawaii's coastal communities, particularly among Native Hawaiian groups and organizations. Therefore, the legislature finds that expanding support …
Sponsors
- Mahina Poepoe (D, 13) · primary sponsor
- Terez Amato (D, 11)
- Della Belatti (D, 26)
- Cory Chun (D, 35)
- Tina Grandinetti (D, 20)
- Daniel Holt (D, 28)
- Linda Ichiyama (D, 31)
- Kim Iwamoto (D, 25)
- Kirstin Kahaloa (D, 6)
- Jeanne Kapela (D, 5)
- Darius Kila (D, 44)
- Lisa Kitagawa (D, 48)
Latest actions
- : Re-Referred to WLA, WAM.
- : Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).
- : House Conferee(s) discharged.
- : Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 409).
- : Senate Conferee(s) discharged.
- : Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday, 04-25-25 at 4:00PM in Conference Room 411.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 04-25-25 9:45AM in conference room 229.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Thursday 04-24-25 10:00AM in conference room 229.
- : Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Wednesday 04-23-25 10:00AM in conference room 229.
Votes
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1) (April 8, 2025): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WAM: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (April 2, 2025): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- WTL: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (March 14, 2025): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Muraoka voting no (1) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2) (March 4, 2025): 48 yea, 1 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS (February 24, 2025): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick voting no (3) and Representative(s) Cochran (February 11, 2025): 46 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Appropriations, The Department Of Land And Natural Resources, DLNR
Common questions
- What is HB86?
- HB86 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
- What does HB86 do?
- In its own words: A bill foran act relating to the department of land and natural resources.
- What is the status of HB86?
- In committee as of April 17, 2026. Latest action: Re-Referred to WLA, WAM. (April 17, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB86?
- Mahina Poepoe (D, 13), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB86?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=86&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.