Access to the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve waters for fishing and other types of ocean vessels is highly restricted because of the presence of unexploded ordnance; access is also restricted in order to protect marine resources within the Reserve. However, limited trolling is allowed in Reserve waters deeper than 30 fathoms during two scheduled weekends each month. Hawaii Administrative Rules require that all vessel operators wanting to enter the waters must register annually with the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) before entering the Reserve to troll during designated trolling dates.
Access to Reserve waters–defined as within two nautical miles of Kaho’olawe Island–will be allowed from 12:01am Saturdays to 11:59pm Sundays on the following 2014 dates: Jan. 4-5 and 25-26; Feb. 8-9 and 22-23; March 8-9 and 22-23; April 5-6 and 26-27; May 10-11 and 17-18; June 7-8 and 21-22; July 12-13 and 26-27; Aug. 9-10 and 23-24; Sept. 6-7 and 20-21; Oct. 4-5 and 18-19; Nov. 01-02 and 15-16; and Dec. 6-7 and 20-21.
Registered vessels are required to file a catch report with the KIRC any time they fish in the Reserve, whether fish are caught or not. A $25 permitting fee will be applied to the required registration process. All other fishing, ocean recreation, commercial and/or any other activities are strictly prohibited.
To register with the KIRC, or for more information, contact Dean Tokishi at 808-243-5889 or at dtokishi@kirc.hawaii.gov. Registration packets are available at the Kaho’olawe website. Registration packets are also available at the Division of Boating and Recreation, located at 101 Ma’alaea Boat Harbor Road.
Photo: Forest & Kim Starr/Wikimedia Commons
Comments
comments