Bill > HB1765

This bill requires that beginning July 1, 2027, all spearguns or pole spears sold, leased, rented, or otherwise commercially distributed in Hawaii must display a prominent and legible safety warning about the risks of hypoxia, which is a dangerous lack of oxygen that can lead to loss of consciousness or death during breath-hold diving associated with spearfishing. The warning, which must be permanently affixed and in English and potentially other languages, will state: "DANGER: SPEARFISHING INVOLVES BREATH-HOLD DIVING. PROLONGED SUBMERSION OR IMPROPER BREATHING MAY CAUSE HYPOXIA, LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS, OR DEATH. NEVER DIVE ALONE." This requirement does not apply to traditional, handcrafted, or homemade spearfishing implements or private, non-commercial transfers. The Department of Health will be responsible for adopting rules to implement these requirements, including details on the warning's size, format, and placement, as well as educational materials for distributors, and will enforce compliance. The bill aims to increase public awareness of these risks to reduce preventable drowning incidents without restricting lawful spearfishing practices. The effective date of this Act is July 1, 3000.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1765&year=2026