LIHU’E — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking public input on commercial and recreational activities along the Na Pali Coast. A meeting is scheduled at Hanapepe Recreation Center from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. A second
LIHU’E — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is seeking public input on commercial and recreational activities along the Na Pali Coast.
A meeting is scheduled at Hanapepe Recreation Center from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. A second meeting is scheduled at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center at the same time on Aug. 17.
Rules that might be changed involve boat operations in four coastline caves, passenger counts on boat tours along the coast and commercial kayak operations at Anini Beach, said Carol She, a regulations planner with DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation.
She said many residents oppose boat operations in the caves because the trips into them can be dangerous.
In one instance, riders were dumped overboard after a commercial tour boat was hit by waves while in the cave. She said a rule could be amended to halt vessel operations in the cave.
Another rule that could be changed deals the passenger capacity of commercial boats that make runs from the Port Allen Harbor to the Na Pali Coast, She said.
Under current rules, a boat operator is allowed to bring no more than 49 passengers to the area per trip, according to She.
Captain Andy, a tour boat company, has filed a petition with the Land Board to review the rules on the length of vessels that operate off the coast. Most boats range from 40 to 64 feet.
“We want to find out whether the community feels these rules related to the boat length are outdated,” She said. “We want to look at it.” Captain Andy wants to increase the number of passengers on the outings but would not allow them to disembark, She said.
Captain Andy is one of five companies with yearly permits from DNLR to operate off the coast.
Kaua’i Sea Tours also has a permit from the DLNR parks division to shuttle passengers to Nualolo Kai.
The company’s 40-foot boat brings the passengers offshore. From there, a smaller boat is used to transport only 18 passengers to Nualolo Kai, She said.
Two other companies—Captain Zodiac and Lady Ann Cruises—have similar permits from DLNR to carry out similar shuttle operations, She said.
No more than six commercial boats are allowed to anchor off Nualolo Kai at one time and can stay in the area no longer than 45 minutes, She said.
DNLR wants input on possible rule changes from commercial motorized and non-motorized operators, kayak companies, scuba companies and windsurfing companies, She said.
Additional information is available from She at (808) 587-1972 or boating@hula.net.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and lchang@pulitzer.net
