SB 3173 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO CULTURAL EDUCATION.

Summary

Establishes a Cultural Training Pilot Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to be administered by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation for all commercial use permit holders operating in Lahaina Harbor. Requires DOBOR to partner with an organization identified by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in Native Hawaiian culture and place-based history to teach a cultural training course to educate commercial use permit holders and applicants for commercial use permits on the cultural and historic significance of the area. Requires existing commercial use permit holders and applicants to undergo cultural training. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 28, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB3173 → SB3173_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from a Senate bill to a Senate Draft 1 version, updating the sponsor and technical metadata. The most significant policy change is the effective date, which was moved from immediate approval to July 1, 2050, likely to allow for future legislative adjustments or to align with a specific long-term planning horizon. The substantive requirements for the cultural training pilot program in Lahaina Harbor remain unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation for commercial permit holders in Lahaina Harbor; no new jurisdictions or entities were added or removed.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the act was changed from 'upon approval' to 'July 1, 2050', significantly delaying when the cultural training requirements become mandatory.

TECHNICAL

The bill sponsor was changed from Noah Holck to Paul Kanoho, and the bill type was updated from 'SB' to 'SD' (Senate Draft), reflecting the legislative workflow stage.

Internal metadata, including revision numbers, template types, and various tracking identifiers, were updated to reflect the new draft version.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to WAL, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 375) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:17AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from WLA/HWN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2674) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HWN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in HWN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lamosao, Ihara, Keohokalole, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Richards.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA/HWN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-19-26 1:15PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Committee

Referred to WLA/HWN, WAM.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors