New law provides alternative sentencing for aquatic offenders

Gov. David Ige on Thursday signed into law Senate Bill 2453 authorizing alternative sentencing for aquatic violations.

The new law covers most regulations under the jurisdiction of the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources, including most fisheries violations.

Judges will still be able to impose jail time or fine defendants but can also sentence offenders to an educational course or resource-specific community service work.

DLNR Chairwoman Suzanne Case said in a statement she’s “thrilled” the governor signed the bill into law.

“It provides us with an opportunity to educate and rehabilitate resource law violators, and in doing so, encourage pono approaches to extractive use of Hawaii’s natural resources,” she said.

Boaters and hunters must take an educational course before obtaining licenses. Because Hawaii doesn’t require a recreational fishing license, there is no such requirement for fishers.

Honolulu District Judge Barbara Richardson said the law will help “reduce recidivism among resource offenders.”

“When we fine someone, we teach them that their individual act was prohibited by law,” she said. “By requiring them to complete an educational course, that person has the opportunity to learn why their conduct was illegal, in addition to learning about other resource laws of which they should be aware, as well as the sustainable management principles that are a common thread between Hawaiian traditions and the resource laws we have today.”