Mo’omomi CBSFA Public Hearing

DLNR News Release

Stakeholders are strongly encouraged to participate online for a statewide, online public hearing on the proposed adoption of new rules to establish the Moʻomomi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA) on Molokai’s northwestern coast. The goal of the CBSFA is to establish a marine managed area to maintain sustainable long-term harvest of key subsistence fish stocks and to reaffirm traditional and customary native Hawaiian subsistence fishing practices.

Brian Neilson, Administrator of the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) said, “This innovative option of an online hearing, especially with the spike in coronavirus infections, provides a safe and appropriate physical distancing for DLNR/DAR to hear from everyone regarding these important nearshore marine resources. The ability to harvest and provide food in a sustainable manner is critical especially, in these current times.”

The proposed CBSFA extends from ‘Ilio Point in the west to Nihoa Flats in the east; from the shoreline out to approximately one mile. The proposed changes to Hawaii Administrative Rules would establish new bag limits, size limits, seasonal closures, and/or gear restrictions for uhu, kūmū, kole, moi, spiny lobster, `opihi, and limu; prohibit night diving and SCUBA spearfishing; prohibit commercial fishing, with exceptions for bottom fishing for deep-7 bottom fish and trolling for all species; and establish special regulations to minimize disturbance of the marine environment in Kawaʻaloa Bay.

A pre-recorded presentation describing the proposed rules can be viewed via a link on the DAR website one week prior to the hearings.

The online public hearing is on Aug. 19. Comments to the department will be accepted during this hearing. There are three ways to participate:

Online: Live video/oral testimony via the internet or telephone at the online public hearing on Aug. 19 from 5:30 to 9:30 pm. To participate, you will need either a computer with internet access, a video camera, and a microphone, or a telephone. To sign up, please email your request to: CBSFA@hawaii.gov or call (808) 347-0317 at least 48 hours in advance. Please include your email, full name, and phone number. A confirmation will be sent to you with instructions and the meeting link and call-in number. You can view the online public hearing at the DAR website or on Youtube.

In-person: People without telephone or internet access can present testimony in person on Molokai (by appointment only) on Aug. 19 at Kualapu’u Charter School from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

To provide testimony in person, please email CBSFA@hawaii.gov or call (808) 347-0317 to register at least 48 hours in advance. Please include your full name, phone number and hearing location. A confirmation will be sent to registrants with instructions for testifying in person. Masks must be worn at all times by testifiers and comply with physical distancing guidelines. Only one person at a time will be allowed into the hearing area to present testimony to a hearing officer. All others will be required to wait outside or in their vehicles until their assigned time slot.

Written testimony: Mail or email written testimony by close of business on Aug. 26 to the DAR Honolulu office, DLNR.Aquatics@hawaii.gov or CBSFA@hawaii.gov.