LIHU‘E — The Department of Land and Natural Resources last week held five meetings statewide to hear what the public had to say on proposed amendments to the Hawai‘i Administrative Rules regarding ocean recreation and coastal areas. The proposed amendments
LIHU‘E — The Department of Land and Natural Resources last week held five meetings statewide to hear what the public had to say on proposed amendments to the Hawai‘i Administrative Rules regarding ocean recreation and coastal areas.
The proposed amendments target activities in specific areas in each county, including commercial operations in the waters of Hanalei Bay on Kaua‘i’s North Shore.
On Feb. 24, several community members attended the DLNR meeting on Kaua‘i, held at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School in Puhi, when the majority of 15 speakers voiced support for the amendments.
“The County believes that the proposed amendments achieve an appropriate balance between commercial and recreational use by both residents and tourists alike,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in a written statement.
Carvalho said that upon passage of the proposed amendment rules, the county will be able to promulgate its own administrative rules, leading to more efficient management of Black Pot Beach Park in Hanalei.
“I believe that passage of these rules will lead to a future of State and County cooperation that will only better protect and manage this very important resource,” Carvalho said.
The proposed amendments would limit to up to five the number of commercial use permits for self-propelled vessels to load and unload at Hanalei Bay.
Priority would be given to the companies that held a commercial permit and operated under such permit in November 2000. But the number of allowable permits could drop to three, through attrition of the initial permittees.
The amendment limits the permits to passenger vessels certified by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry up to 25 passengers. Permits shall authorize the carrying of no more than 30 passengers daily.
Kayak tours would be limited to two commercial use permits for the Hanalei launch ramp. The maximum number of passengers per trip per permit would be limited to eight, and no more than 30 passengers per day. Priority for kayak tour permits would also be given to those who operated under a permit in November 2000.
Surfing instruction would also be regulated. The DLNR would issue up to eight permits for commercial water sports instruction within Hanalei Bay ocean waters, including surfing and stand-up paddle.
Each water sports instruction permit would authorize one instructor per day to have no more than four students at any given time. The DLNR may designate the site of instruction and hours of operation.
Commercial water sports instruction or tours include, but are not limited to, commercial kayak tours, canoe rides, diving, snorkeling, parasailing, surfing, sailboarding and other water-related recreational activities, according to the amendment.
Written testimony may be e-mailed to dlnr.harreview@hawaii.gov or faxed to (808) 587-1977. Faxes should have a heading saying att: Clifford Inn, and a subject line stating it’s a written testimony for Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation draft rule changes.
Go to http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dbor/bordraftrules.htm to download the proposed amendments, or call the DLNR DOBOR office on O‘ahu at (808) 587-1967 for more information. The DLNR Kaua‘i District Manager can be reached at 245-8028.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
