Committee orders broader Napali Coast carrying-capacity study; Kauai officials urge timing with harbor upgrades

The House Committee on Water & Land amended and advanced SB465 to require a carrying-capacity study for Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor and the broader Napali Coast area, and to include planned harbor upgrades in the study scope.

Testimony included remarks from the Kauai majority floor leader, who said the measure should help “strike the right balance” between recreational and commercial boating and address growing conflicts at shore access points. County officials emphasized that the study should include any imminent infrastructure improvements. Chair-led drafting changes directed the study to include planned harbor upgrades — specifically the second boat ramp — and clarified that the scope covers the Napali Coast beyond just the harbor itself.

Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami and other local speakers warned against delaying needed infrastructure. The mayor said he did not want a study to slow construction of an additional ramp that would expand commercial opportunity for local boaters. He told the committee that “if it's gonna benefit Kauai, I'm not gonna say that not conducting a study should slow down any improvement to that harbor,” while also supporting a study that reflects post-improvement capacity.

Committee members amended the bill to ensure the study incorporates current and planned harbor upgrades and the broader Napali Coast carrying-capacity question rather than limiting the review to the harbor alone. The amendment also set a deferred date for report timing to allow planned work to proceed before final analysis.

SB465 advanced from committee with the amended scope; members noted the need to engage local stakeholders to rebuild trust and ensure the study's recommendations are accepted by affected communities.