Bill > SB1082

This bill seeks to establish the ?opae ?ula (Halocaridina rubra), a small red shrimp endemic to Hawaii's anchialine pools, as the official state shrimp. The legislature recognizes these pools as culturally sacred ecosystems, with over 650 of the 700 recorded pools located in Hawaii County's Kona and Ka?u districts. The bill aims to raise awareness about the ?opae ?ula and support conservation efforts for anchialine pool ecosystems, while explicitly stating that the designation will not interfere with the traditional practice of harvesting ?opae for ?opelu fishing. Specifically, the bill adds a new section to Chapter 5 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to formally designate the ?opae ?ula as the state shrimp, highlighting the species' significance as an important indicator of anchialine pool health and its unique status as a native Hawaiian species.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1082&year=2026