Anchoring Limits:

A controversial regulation, which has been resisted by local sailors, is the 72-hour anchoring limit. Although brought in to deal with a large number of derelict vessels, the rule has been applied against cruising boats too. It is reported that the rule now only applies to the island of Oahu. Cruising boats are free to anchor for longer periods at all other islands, provided they are not left unattended.

Many Hawaiian bays have been designated Marine Conservation Areas, and anchoring is prohibited in some of them. The government booklet “Marine Life Conservation Districts” gives more information on local restrictions.

Restricted Areas:

Nihau Island is reserved for native Hawaiians. It can only be visited with official permission.

Military areas:
Kahoolawe Island, just south of Maui, was previously used as a firing range by the US Navy. Jurisdiction has reverted to the State of Hawaii, but unexploded ordnance is still being cleared from the island. Before landing at this island, check with the customs office on Maui to get the latest information and clearance.

The Midway Islands, 28°13’N 177°24’W, at the western extremity of the Hawaiian group, are not part of the state of Hawaii, and are administered by the US Navy. Johnston Atoll 16°45’N 169°31’W is administered by the US Air Force and is to be used for dumping chemical weapons as well as other military purposes. Part of the atoll is a wildlife refuge. The waters within a three-mile radius of both Midway and Johnston are off-limits to yachts unless they have special permission. In case of a real emergency, permission to enter would probably be given. In such a case one should contact the US Coast Guard or the Rescue Coordination Centre in Honolulu. Yachts should note that mooring fees and entry fees will be charged.

Remote Island Wildlife Refuges:
These are administered by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Honolulu. Refuge Complex Office, PO Box 50167, http://www.fws.gov/ Permission to land will only be given for legitimate reasons. These areas include:

• The NW part of the Hawaiian archipelago, including Nihoa Island, but not Midway, from 161°W to 176°W.
• Howland, Baker and Jarvis Islands, on the equator SSW of Hawaii. In 1990 they were included within Hawaii state boundaries by Congress.
• Kure Island, west of Midway. Access is restricted to this island, which is administered by the state of Hawaii.
• Palmyra Atoll 5°53’N 162°05’W is now owned jointly by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the US Fish and Wildlife (USF&W) Department, and is managed as a nature preserve. Visits by yachts must be arranged in advance with TNC.
• Wake Island 19°18’N 166°38’E is administered by the US Air Force but yachts can stop. The pass into the lagoon is not deep enough to enter so one has to anchor off the reef, making it only a temporary stop. Only military and contract workers live there.

In June 2006 the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument was created, to be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and including the NW Hawaiian Archipelago and Midway Islands. For more information visit the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service website.

Spinner Dolphins:

New rules to protect spinner dolphins were established in September 2021. These include a final rule that prohibits swimming with and approaching spinner dolphins within 50 yards and a proposed rule to establish time-area closures at five sites in the main Hawaiian Islands. See more at DOBOR.

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