HI HB1155

Prohibits taking, harvesting, or possessing opihi from coastal areas, nearshore waters, jetties, breakwaters, and marine protected areas statewide, except as authorized by native Hawaiian gathering rights and traditional practices.

Bans all opihi harvesting below the waterline of state marine waters.

Establishes closed seasons for above-waterline opihi harvesting from February 1 through May 31 and September 1 through November 30, though previously harvested opihi may be possessed during closed seasons.

Prohibits simultaneous possession of underwater viewing equipment, opihi harvesting tools, and live opihi within five feet of state marine waters.

Implements a complete moratorium on opihi taking, harvesting, or possession on the island of Oahu until June 30, 2017, except for constitutionally protected native Hawaiian cultural practices, with the Department of Land and Natural Resources required to submit annual effectiveness and enforcement reports through 2017.