The Ocean Stewardship User Fee (OSUF), established by Hawaii’s Act 46 in 2021, is a $1 fee applied to all participants of commercial ocean recreation activities. Managed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the fee aims to fund the conservation, protection, and enhancement of Hawaii’s marine ecosystems.   This initiative addresses the impact of marine ecotourism on the environment by funding conservation efforts, educational activities, and enforcement actions to mitigate damage to marine life and habitats. The OSUF is expected to generate between $1 million and $5 million annually, with allocation based on user volume by county. Commercial operators, such as MANA Cruises + Charters are responsible for collecting and remitting these fees. We at MANA Cruises fully support this measure as it seeks to ensure the sustainability of Hawaii’s marine resources, involving ocean users in the stewardship process to preserve the marine environment for future generations.