<div dir="ltr"><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p></div></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Aloha!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Fast action needed. DOBOR is at it again. Trying to tighten
the noose already around our business's necks and add new
ones. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">TESTIMONY DUE BEFORE 9:00AM ON WEDNESDAY 1/31/2024. Links
are below.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In a nutshell: </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>HB2474</b> Would
allow DOBOR to pass a rule for 18 months without public input.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>HB2475</b> Expands
the definition of commercial activity.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>HB2476</b> Creates
ORMAs on all coastlines and prohibits commercial activity on weekends and holidays.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>HB2477</b> Specifies that the Department of Land
and Natural Resources can issue new ocean recreation commercial use permits by
unsealed public auction.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>HB1809</b>
The bill tries to ensure that
when the DLNR-DOBOR establishes a new ORMA, the state will issue sufficient
permits to safeguard the interests of commercial operators within the
designated area. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Here are some possible positions on each bill. Please
share throughout your network</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">___________________________________________________________________________________</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>HB1809</b>
The bill tries to ensure that
when the DLNR-DOBOR establishes a new ORMA, the state will issue sufficient
permits to safeguard the interests of commercial operators within the
designated area. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 1in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b> </b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Submit Testimony HB1804</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(<a href="https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1809&year=2024" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1809&year=2024</a>
)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>___________________________________________________________________________________</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>HB2474 – Would allow DOBOR to pass a rule for 18 months
without public input</b>. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="color:red">Allegedly
this is to address new and emerging water sport technologies. However it does
not state that it couldn’t be used against existing water sports and
activities. They could make a rule and
shut down any industry for 18 months. No ifs, ands or buts. </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="color:red"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Submit Testimony HB2474
(<a href="https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2474&year=2024" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2474&year=2024</a>
)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>___________________________________________________________________________________</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>HB2475 – Expands the definition of commercial
activity.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> <i><span style="color:red">It seems like they just want to create new avenues to impose
fees, taxes and increase revenues.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Submit Testimony HB2475 ( <a href="https://oceantourismcoalition.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db44ff4a105e98ec62b23642b&id=d8ced6eeb1&e=98f68e2daf" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://oceantourismcoalition.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db44ff4a105e98ec62b23642b&id=d8ced6eeb1&e=98f68e2daf</a>
)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">___________________________________________________________________________________</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>HB2476 – Creates ORMAs on all coastlines
and prohibits commercial activity on weekends and holidays</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="color:red">You’re
not open for business on all weekends and holidays. About 112 days per year,
not including days that weather
interrupts business.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Submit Testimony HB2476 ( <a href="https://oceantourismcoalition.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db44ff4a105e98ec62b23642b&id=4557f91f87&e=98f68e2daf" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://oceantourismcoalition.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db44ff4a105e98ec62b23642b&id=4557f91f87&e=98f68e2daf</a>
) </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>___________________________________________________________________________________</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>HB2477 – Specifies that the Department of Land and
Natural Resources can issue new ocean recreation commercial use permits by
unsealed public auction.</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="color:red">Existing
commercial permits should be maintained. That new permits should be awarded to
best qualified applicants and not by lottery or bidding. You don’t get admitted
to University of Hawaii by auction or lottery.
You don’t get a license to
practice law or medicine in Hawaii by bids or lottery.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Submit Testimony HB2477 ( <a href="https://oceantourismcoalition.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db44ff4a105e98ec62b23642b&id=ad514c2118&e=98f68e2daf" style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://oceantourismcoalition.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=db44ff4a105e98ec62b23642b&id=ad514c2118&e=98f68e2daf</a>
)- </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">TESTIMONY DUE BEFORE 9:00AM ON WEDNESDAY 1/31/2024</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Testimony is due before 9:00 a.m. Wednesday
(tomorrow) morning to oppose some of the harshest DLNR bills in the
last 10 years. Please submit your testimony before 9:00
a.m. tomorrow. The actual hearing for the bills is on Thursday
(2/1/2024) at 9:00 a.m. OTC and other members will be
traveling to Oahu, please join us. If you cannot attend in person, zoom
is available. Please ask your captains </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,112,192)">It will always be my position
that safety and sustainability should be job number one in the commercial ocean
recreation industry. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,112,192)">In 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2023 we
supported legislation to require that commercial ocean recreation businesses,
that allow passengers into the water, shall have at least one crew member
trained in in water supervision and rescue training, such as Life Guard, Rescue
Diver or Dive Master. (which includes
CPR, First Aid, AED & O2) DLNR and DOBOR testified against the legislation
in every session. A no funding required,
no brainer that could be implemented slowly to improve safety and
sustainability. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><i><span style="color:rgb(0,112,192)">Accidental drowning is the
number cause of death to visitors to Hawaii and yet the state does nothing to
improve safety of commercial ocean recreation. Instead DOBOR spends year trying
to implement cumbersome rules to manage an industry rather than simply require
increased work force development. To
prepare food on a commercial vessel a crew member must have a food handlers
card. To serve alcohol on a commercial
vessel a crew member must have an alcohol servers card. But to take people into
the ocean that may not know how to swim requires no training. In fact you need to pass a test for most any
state sanctioned commercial activity other than Ocean Recreation. Think about
it. When you, your friends, your family,
whoever, pays to go on a professional, commercial ocean recreation trip, don’t
you want someone to be trained and prepared to help should an accident happen?</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><div id="m_-4826846791767770072m_-6324097820821827991mail-editor-reference-message-container"></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div>