THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
3032
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII
H.D. 2
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO BEACHES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that existing laws under sections 171-58.5 and 205A-44, Hawaii Revised Statutes, prohibit the removal or disturbance of beach sand. However, landowners frequently hire licensed or unlicensed contractors to illegally remove sand from public beaches to fortify their private land.
The legislature further finds that the department of land and natural resources requires clearer authority to hold those persons liable.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to clarify that the prohibitions and associated administrative, civil, or criminal penalties for the removal of sand from public beaches apply to all persons, including licensed and unlicensed contractors.
SECTION 2. Section 171-58.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§171-58.5 Prohibitions. [[Struck through: The mining or taking of]] [Underlined: (a) No person shall mine or take] sand, dead coral or coral rubble, rocks, soil, or other [Underlined: beach or] marine deposits seaward from the shoreline [[Struck through: is prohibited with the following exceptions:]][Underlined: , except as follows:]
(1) The inadvertent taking [[Struck through: from]] [Underlined: of beach or marine deposits] seaward of the shoreline [[Struck through: of these materials]], such as those inadvertently carried away on the body, [[Struck through: and on]] clothes, toys, recreational equipment, [[Struck through: and]] [Underlined: or] bags;
(2) For the replenishment or protection of public shoreline areas and adjacent public lands seaward of the shoreline, or construction or maintenance of [[Struck through: state approved]] [Underlined: state-approved] lagoons, harbors, launching ramps, or navigational channels with a permit authorized under chapter 183C;
(3) The clearing of [[Struck through: these materials]] [Underlined: beach or marine deposits] from existing drainage pipes and canals and from the mouths of streams[Underlined: ,] including clearing for the purposes under section 46-11.5; provided that [[Struck through: the]] [Underlined: any] sand removed shall be placed on adjacent areas unless [[Struck through: this]] [Underlined: the] placement would result in significant turbidity;
(4) The cleaning of areas seaward of the shoreline for state or county maintenance purposes[Underlined: ,] including the purposes under section 46-12; provided that [[Struck through: the]] [Underlined: any] sand removed shall be placed on adjacent areas unless the placement would result in significant turbidity;
(5) The exercise of traditional cultural practices as authorized by law or as permitted by the department pursuant to article XII, section 7, of the Hawaii State Constitution; or
(6) For the response to a public emergency or a state or local disaster.
[Underlined: (b) As used in this section, "person" includes any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, including licensed or unlicensed contractors.]"
SECTION 3. Section 205A-44, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§205A-44 Prohibitions. (a) [[Struck through: The mining or taking of]] [Underlined: No person shall mine or take] sand, dead coral or coral rubble, rocks, soil, or other beach or marine deposits from the shoreline area [[Struck through: is prohibited with the following exceptions:]][Underlined: , except as follows:]
(1) The inadvertent taking [Underlined: of beach or marine deposits] from the shoreline area [[Struck through: of the materials]], such as those inadvertently carried away on the body, [[Struck through: and on]] clothes, toys, recreational equipment, [[Struck through: and]] [Underlined: or] bags;
(2) Where the mining or taking is authorized by a variance pursuant to this part;
(3) The clearing of [[Struck through: these materials]] [Underlined: beach or marine deposits] from existing drainage pipes and canals and from the mouths of streams[Underlined: ,] including clearing for the purposes under section 46-11.5; provided that [[Struck through: the]] [Underlined: any] sand removed shall be placed on adjacent areas unless the placement would result in significant turbidity;
(4) The cleaning of the shoreline area for state or county maintenance purposes, including [[Struck through: the]] clearing for [Underlined: the] purposes under section 46-12; provided that [[Struck through: the]] [Underlined: any] sand removed shall be placed on adjacent areas unless the placement would result in significant turbidity;
(5) The taking of driftwood, shells, beach glass, glass floats, or seaweed;
(6) The exercise of traditional cultural practices as authorized by law or as permitted by the department pursuant to article XII, section 7, of the Hawaii State Constitution; or
(7) For the response to a public emergency or a state or local disaster.
(b) Except as provided in this section, structures are prohibited in the shoreline area without a variance pursuant to this part. Structures in the shoreline area shall not need a variance if:
(1) [[Struck through: They]] [Underlined: The structures] were completed [[Struck through: prior to]] [Underlined: before] June 22, 1970;
(2) [[Struck through: They]] [Underlined: The structures] received [[Struck through: either]] a building permit, board approval, or shoreline setback variance [[Struck through: prior to]] [Underlined: before] June 16, 1989;
(3) [[Struck through: They]] [Underlined: The structures] are outside the shoreline area when they receive either a building permit or board approval;
(4) [[Struck through: They]] [Underlined: The structures] are necessary for or ancillary to continuation of existing agriculture or aquaculture in the shoreline area on June 16, 1989;
(5) [[Struck through: They]] [Underlined: The structures] are minor structures permitted under rules adopted by the department [[Struck through: which]] [Underlined: that] do not affect beach processes or artificially fix the shoreline and do not interfere with public access or public views to and along the shoreline; or
(6) [[Struck through: Work]] [Underlined: The work] being done [Underlined: on the structure] consists of maintenance, repair, and minor additions or alterations [[Struck through: of]] [Underlined: to] legal boating, maritime, or watersports recreational facilities[[Struck through: , which]] [Underlined: that] are publicly owned, and [[Struck through: which result]] [Underlined: results] in little or no interference with natural shoreline processes;
provided that permitted structures may be repaired, but shall not be enlarged, rebuilt, or replaced within the shoreline area without a variance.
[Underlined: (c) For the purposes of this section, "person" includes any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or other legal entity, including licensed or unlicensed contractors.]"
SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Department of Land and Natural Resources; Public Beaches; Sand Removal; Contractors; Penalties
Description:
Clarifies that the prohibition on the mining or taking of beach or marine deposits, including sand, seaward from the shoreline applies to licensed and unlicensed contractors. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.