Commercial Activities

THIS STICKER COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE! This Scan If Found sticker helps the US Coast Guard and other emergency personnel conduct search and rescue efforts.  It can also help you recover lost gear if you affix it to your float, kayak, standup paddleboard, cooler, etc.  Get your free “Scan If Found” stickers   On Hawai`i ...
Read More “Scan If Found” Stickers for Ocean Recreation Equipment

Message for Hawaiʻi boaters from NOAA Fisheries, Pacific Islands Regional Office: Subject: Humpback Whale Approach Regulations in Hawaiʻi NOAA Fisheries is finalizing the interim final rule, “Approach Regulations for Humpback Whales in Waters Surrounding the Islands of Hawaiʻi under the Marine Mammal Protection Act” through the publication of a final rule. The regulations remain the same ...
Read More HUMPBACK WHALE APPROACH REGULATIONS EFFECTIVE JANUARY 22, 2024

If you are interested in applying for a mooring in a harbor or an offshore mooring, if you are a long-time tenant of a DOBOR facility, or if you are a commercial tenant, there are three newly-published resources that provide valuable guidance on the rules and regulations that apply to you.  “Applying for a Mooring ...
Read More The Harbor User Handbook

Safe Boating Week in Hawaii Runs From May 20-26, 2023 This local event coincides with the National Safe Boating Week celebration.  The goal of this annual event is to encourage all boaters to enjoy our ocean waters and keep learning how to improve their boating skills. ISLAND OF OAHU The US Coast Guard (USCG) Auxiliary ...
Read More Safe Boating Week in Hawaii 2023

Project Name: Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor Water System Improvements, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii Scope of Work: Installation of new HDPE water mains and service laterals including trenching and asphalt pavement repair.   Contractor: Pacific Isles Equipment Rental, Inc. Contract Cost: $1,474,778 Construction Start: March 7, 2022 Contract Completion: September 30, 2022 Closures:  Parking stalls in various ...
Read More Ala Wai Water System Improvements

Thank you for visiting this post.  It means you are interested in helping to keep our ocean waters clear of non-natural debris and hazards to navigation.  This procedure list is structured around one fundamental question…. can the object you have sighted offshore be towed to land by your vessel?  There are separate procedures for something ...
Read More IF YOU FIND MARINE DEBRIS OFFSHORE

HAZARD TO NAVIGATION IN OUR WATERS Attention boaters, a section of a dock approximately 8×8′ in size has been sighted in our waters.  It was last seen Sunday, 1/9/22, within three miles of land off the island of Oahu.  Coordinates: 21 28.276 N; 157 47.344 W.  It was described as being 1000 feet south of ...
Read More HAZARD REPORT

KAHANA BAY BOAT RAMP CLOSING FOR SITE IMPROVEMENTS  (Honolulu) – The Kahana Bay Boat Ramp will be closed starting January 3, 2022, for repairs and renovations. Site improvements will include asphalt and concrete pavement resurfacing of the parking lot, the installation of new bull rails, and rock revetment repairs. The entire boat ramp will be closed ...
Read More KAHANA BAY RAMP CLOSURE

EXCERPT FROM Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 202 / Friday, October 22, 2021 / Rules and Regulations SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending fire extinguishing equipment regulations for recreational vessels that are propelled or controlled by propulsion machinery. This rule relieves owners of these recreational vessels from certain inspection, maintenance, and recordkeeping requirements that ...
Read More FEDERAL LAW ON FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FOR REC. BOATS AMENDED

Due to staffing issues, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation Honokohau Small Boat Harbor office will temporarily shift the types of transactions being handled at the harbor office. Effective October 18, 2021, the following procedures will be implemented: Harbor-related transactions (mooring permits, commercial use permits, etc.) will only be provided on Mondays, Wednesdays, and ...
Read More Honokohau Admin Change