HI HB1233

Requires each county to adopt ordinances regulating all retention and detention ponds within their jurisdiction, including permitting processes for new construction and safety requirements.

Mandates safety standards for retention and detention ponds including four-foot minimum fencing with locked gates, "No Swimming" signage, life buoys at entry points, proper ground maintenance, landscaped buffers, and emergency spillways.

Requires counties to conduct inspections for compliance and maintain a registry of all retention and detention ponds with periodic condition assessments.

Each county must survey all existing retention and detention ponds and submit findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2026 regular session.

Appropriates unspecified funds as grant-in-aid to Honolulu and the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui for conducting surveys and adopting ordinances for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.