State Seal

 

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

 

News Release

     LINDA LINGLE              

           GOVERNOR

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                              PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON

                                                                                                                                              Phone: (808) 587-0401

                                                                                                                                              Fax: (808) 587-0390

                                                                                                                                             

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release: November 9, 2006

  

DLNR Holds Public Meeting On
Personal Watercraft Zone In Hilo Bay


HILO -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) invites the public to attend an information meeting on the personal watercraft (PWC) zone in Hilo Bay, starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 17, in the State Office Building in Hilo, 75 Aupuni St., conference rooms A, B and C.

The meeting is being held to invite comments from users of Hilo Bay -- and specifically, the users of the PWC zone -- regarding the size and location of this designated area. Resulting comments will be synthesized into a report to be presented to the State Legislature in response to House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 249.

HCR 249, adopted by the 23rd Legislature, Regular Session of 2006, called for the DLNR to re-evaluate the existing boundaries of the Hilo Bay Recreational Thrill Craft Zone and to prepare a status report of its efforts prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007.

"We receive, on a regular basis, a great deal of input from area users," said Peter Young, DLNR Chairperson. "But we are trying to get comments from those other users who have not yet been able to voice their opinions on reducing user conflicts and making these ocean recreation areas safer for everyone."

The DLNR will also invite comments on the system in place to certify PWC operators. In 2005, a law was passed requiring PWC operators to undergo safety training from an institution of higher learning to earn a certification. The certification is required to legally operate a PWC in any of the State's Ocean Recreation Management Areas.

"We are hoping to modify our rules and introduce some innovative ways to make PWC safety education readily accessible to PWC owners and operators," said Young. "This might include a home study course or an internet course, or a combination of several certification methods."

DOBOR operates and manages 21 harbors, 50 ramps, 2,122 moorings and berths and 19 piers across the state. The division works in close partnership with DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) and the U.S. Coast Guard to make nearshore waters safe. The division is also responsible for registering all vessels in Hawaii which are not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard and for regulating and permitting surf meets, canoe and yachting regattas, ocean swimming events and other ocean events with the concurrence of the U.S. Coast Guard.

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For more information, contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320