If passed by both branches of the Legislature, the ban on what's often called "submission fighting," would take effect July 1, and be enforced by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
The newly drafted Senate version of the bill, which originated in the House, includes stiffer penalties for promoters and participants.
The earlier version would have subjected promoters and participants to 100 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine.
The proposed fine is now $10,000, but Sen. Rosalyn Baker, co-chairwoman of the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and Information Technology committee, said the three-year block on local business dealings by promoters is the key penalty.
Because it is a rewritten bill, it must be voted on by both chambers again. Similar bills have died in the Senate in past years.
"I think the fine is kind of irrelevant to the promoters who make money on these events but the inability to do business here would really affect them," she said.
Broadcasting the combat exhibitions would also be illegal.
State boxing commission chairman Henry Lee had said at a hearing on the bill on March 24 that his body wanted nothing to do with enforcing or regulating X-Treme or Ultimate Fighting. Instead, Lee suggested criminalizing it, as New York and a number of other states have done.
The current bill does not make it a felony to be involved with the fight shows, as do New York and a number of other states. In New York, where Gov. George Pataki signed legislation Feb. 25, promoters and participants can be charged with a Class A felony on the first offense. One to three years in jail and a fine of $10,000, or twice the event's profit, can also be levied.
"We would criminalize it if it looks like there are lots of violations under this measure," said Baker.
Tommy Thompson, promoter of Super Brawl IV, said last night that the state is in for "the mother of all battles" if it tries to bar him from staging X-treme or Ultimate fighting shows.
"The ACLU might have to become involved," said Thompson. "We're a legitimate martial arts contest and our fighters use modified Greek pankration rules."
In addition to Thompson's Super Brawl show on Saturday, promoter Tom Moffat is staging the "Ultimate Explosion" card on April 16 at the Blaisdell.
"Nobody here wants this ban," said Frankie Natwick, a night manager at Gussie L'Amour's nightclub, which stages monthly bare-knuckle prize-money brawls. The last such contest was Tuesday night, according to Natwick.
Kicking and other methods of attack are also allowed in the nightclub's fights.
"We have had 13 or 14 of these cards and no one has seriously gotten hurt," he said. "The guys are good people and there is no gouging, hitting below the belt, choke-holds -- no submission holds."
"I'm glad this glorification of excessive violence will finally be banned," said Honolulu City Council member Andy Mirikitani, who last year proposed a similar bill to the council.
It was not heard, but Mirikitani said he would revive it if the Legislature fails to follow through with the ban.
"This type of fighting clearly sends the wrong message to our youth in Hawaii," he said.
"I'm hopeful that this bill will be passed and signed by the governor as soon as possible. It would make my bill unnecessary. If it doesn't pass, then it will be essential for the city council to pass a ban."