Hawaii County Council urges state to ban commercial aquarium fishing after hours of testimony

The Hawaii County Council voted Jan. 23 to approve Resolution 4-22-25, a formal request that the Hawaii State Legislature prohibit the harvest of aquatic life from state marine waters for commercial aquarium purposes. Council Member Galimba moved the measure and it passed by voice vote with six ayes and three members excused.

The resolution came after sustained public testimony from residents, cultural practitioners, scientists and people with direct experience in the aquarium industry. Speakers repeatedly cited declines in reef fish and local culture-based objections to the trade. "The aquarium trade is not a pono practice," said Aloha Nikachi, who holds a Ph.D. in natural resources and environmental management and testified by Zoom, adding that about 95% of collected fish are shipped out of state and that the industry produces mortality at multiple stages of the supply chain.

Advocates pointed to scientific data and long-term local observation. Inga Gibson of For the Fishes told the council she reviewed recent research and state monitoring that show populations targeted by aquarium collectors have not rebounded and in some areas have declined. Former diver James Elder, who said he collected fish for decades, said he now supports a ban after witnessing “the destruction of the reef” and declines in species once common around the island.

Several speakers framed the issue in cultural stewardship terms. Monica Pilimaitraba, a West Hawaii educator, submitted student testimony and noted that Governor Josh Green had proclaimed 2026 a year of coastal kuleana; she urged alignment between that proclamation and county advocacy. Multiple kupuna and community members described traditional stewardship practices and called aquarium collection a threat to customary resources.

Council members expressed strong support on the floor before the vote. Council Member Villegas said she was moved to tears by testimony and called for state leaders to "lean in" and hold themselves accountable; Council Member Galimba thanked those who had changed their positions after working in the trade. Council Member Eustace called the resolution “one piece” of a broader strategy to protect reefs and advance legislation.

What the council approved is an urging resolution — it does not change county law or directly regulate fishing. The document asks the state legislature to introduce and pass measures to prohibit commercial aquarium harvest statewide and directs council leadership to communicate the council’s position to state lawmakers.

Next steps: the resolution will be transmitted to Hawaii’s state legislature and relevant state agencies. On the dais, members said they intended to press island and state legislators to carry the policy forward this session.