2021 Hawaii Revised Statutes
Title 12. Conservation and Resources
200. Ocean Recreation and Coastal Areas Programs
200-39 Kaneohe Bay ocean use activities; permits; restrictions.

§200-39 Kaneohe Bay ocean use activities; permits; restrictions. (a) For the purposes of this section, "ocean use activities" means commercial operation of thrill craft, high speed boating, parasailing, water sledding, sailing and snorkeling tours, glassbottom boat tours, or any other similar commercial ocean recreation activity for hire.

(b) Any other provision of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, no person shall operate thrill craft, parasailing, water sledding, or commercial high speed boating unless the person meets the requirements of section 200-37 and all rules adopted by the department that regulate or restrict these activities.

(c) Permits issued by the department for the commercial operation of ocean use activities in Kaneohe Bay shall be limited to the number and locations, by permit type and vessel and passenger capacity, provided in the Kaneohe Bay master plan developed pursuant to Act 208, Session Laws of Hawaii 1990, until applicable rules consistent with the master plan are adopted by the department; provided that the passenger capacity for snorkeling tours and glassbottom boat tours shall be set through rules adopted pursuant to chapter 91. No thrill craft permit may be transferred after June 21, 1998; provided that transfers of permits may be made at any time between family members.

(d) On Sundays and federal holidays, all commercial ocean use activities shall be prohibited.

(e) All rules adopted by the department with regard to Kaneohe Bay shall be drafted in consultation with the Kaneohe Bay regional council. For those provisions of the Kaneohe Bay master plan previously adopted by the legislature, the rules adopted by the department shall be in accordance with those provisions. Notwithstanding subsection (c) to the contrary, if the department determines for safety or environmental protection reasons that a permitted use should be relocated, the department may relocate the permitted use and the department shall have discretion to permit vessel substitution with a similar length vessel; provided that the increase is not greater than ten per cent of the current vessel length.

For those provisions of the Kaneohe Bay master plan developed pursuant to Act 208, Session Laws of Hawaii 1990, not previously adopted by the legislature, the master plan shall be used as the recommended guideline in the adoption and implementation of rules with regard to the regulation of all activities in Kaneohe Bay. [L 1993, c 317, § §3(1), 7; am L 1998, c 4, § §2, 3 and c 129, §2; am L 2000, c 110, §1]