#Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation

Dredging of the shallow Wailoa harbor became a critical concern for Hawai‘i Island boaters after the Pohoiki boat ramp in Puna was surrounded and cut off by lava during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano.

State and The Marine Mammal Center partner for public outreach and education campaign for fishers and boaters at West Hawai’i harbor to remind them that some actions can make the endangered 5-month-old monk seal rely on people for food or get too close to fishing hooks, etc.

Dredging at Wailoa became a critical concern for Hawai‘i Island boaters after the Pohoiki boat ramp was surrounded and cut off by lava during the 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano.

In 2021, the Hawai‘i State Legislature mandated the implementation of the Ocean Stewardship User Fee. Commercial operators that are required to have a Commercial Use Permit from the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), will have to collect a $1.00 fee from each passenger or customer.

The 46-foot Ka Imi Kai commercial fishing sailboat broke loose from its anchor or mooring in Māʻalaea Bay and grounded on Sugar Beach on Maui.

If everything goes smoothly, a planned $5.4 million dredging project could begin as early as next February or March and be finished within 6 to 9 months to restore ocean access to the Puna community.

The Keauhou Canoe Club hosted the Founders Regatta on Saturday at the Kailua Pier on Ali‘i Drive. Teams from the Department Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources looked at the placement of the 28 race markers when they discovered the 16 cinder blocks resting on coral structures.

The state is hosting an online public meeting Wednesday to discuss the draft environmental assessment for the project that would reopen ocean access at the boat ramp in Puna.

Several bills and resolutions were approved or adopted by one or both chambers of the 32nd Hawaiʻi State Legislature and revolving around a wide range of issues, including: guns, coffee, kimichi, sex trafficking, grounded vessels, humpback whales and active shooting drills in schools.

The Department of Health issued the boating division a Notice of Violation and Order for failure to produce effluent within state limits.

Bad weather is making it unsafe for salvage crews to return to Honolua Bay on Maui to make another attempt at freeing a 120-ton, 94-foot luxury yacht.

Honolulu-based Visionary Marine used a salvage ship late Sunday to attempt more than a dozen “pulls” of the grounded luxury yacht Nakoa during high tide. In the dark, and on the final pull, the vessel moved 10 to 20 feet.

A 120-ton, 94-foot luxury yacht that grounded in a Maui bay now is defueled. Next is a $460,000 plus salvage operation.

The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) will hold an online public hearing to discuss proposed amendments related to surfing school regulations for Kahalu’u Bay ocean water.

Kailua Pier will temporarily close starting Wednesday, July 28, in an effort to reduce illegal conduct and restore the historic and cultural resource.

DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation will discuss the Draft Environmental Assessment for the proposed project from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kealakehe High School cafeteria.

Wailoa Small Boat Harbor in Hilo will undergo dredging beginning at the end of the month.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources is reminding the public to properly dispose of fish scraps.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Friday new rules regarding permits and fees for commercial recreational water operations.

The grounding of the sailing vessel Hawai’i Aloha on Jan. 3 caused limited environmental damage, according to the State Department of Land and Natural Resources.