Hawaii County Council urges state to ban commercial aquarium collection after hours of testimony

The Hawaii County Council unanimously approved a resolution on Jan. 23 urging the Hawai‘i State Legislature to prohibit the commercial harvest of aquatic life for aquarium purposes, after more than two hours of public testimony from community members, scientists and former fishers.

The resolution, introduced by Council members Inaba and Galimba, was moved for approval by Council Member Galimba and seconded by Council Member Villegas. Council members expressed strong support on the floor and commended the many speakers who called for legislative action. The motion carried with a recorded voice vote noted as 6 ayes and 3 excused.

Why it mattered: dozens of residents, community leaders and students told the council that aquarium collection is harming reef ecosystems and native practices around West Hawai‘i, and that county action could bolster a state ban. Testimony came both in-person and by Zoom and included scientific, cultural and first-hand accounts of reef change.

Local scientists and educators emphasized ecological and cultural harms. A speaker identifying herself as a doctoral researcher in natural resources and environmental management said, "The aquarium trade is culturally disrespectful, wasteful and irresponsible," and urged the council to back a permanent statewide ban. A Ko‘olau charter teacher who read student testimony told council members they were "stewards here in our place," and asked them to support the resolution’s call for legislative prohibition.

Former fishers and local divers described long-term declines. One long-time diver testified that once-common species are now rare and said, "We need to stop this right now." Several witnesses who had previously worked in the aquarium industry said they had left the trade after seeing its impacts and urged the council to act.

Council reaction and next steps: council members thanked testifiers for sharing personal accounts and science. Council Member Villegas described the testimony as moving and supported using the county’s voice to press the Legislature and state agencies, including the Department of Land and Natural Resources, to adopt a statutory ban. Council members noted they expected further legislative activity and reported outreach with a state representative who was finalizing a house draft.

The resolution is an urging measure; it requests that the Hawai‘i State Legislature and relevant state agencies take action. Any statutory change would require action by the state Legislature and administration. The council recorded the approval and indicated plans to follow up with state lawmakers and the Department of Land and Natural Resources on related hearings.

What this does not do: the county resolution asks the Legislature to act; it does not itself change state permitting, regulatory authority or criminal statutes. Several testifiers and council members stressed that the final authority to prohibit commercial aquarium harvest rests with state lawmaking and administrative processes.

The council adjourned after completing its agenda; members said they would continue to press the matter at the state level.