Definitions of Hawaii ORMAs
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§13-256-140 Definition. "East Hawaii Ocean Recreation Management Area" means all ocean waters and navigable streams from Leleiwi Point, South Hilo, to Pepeekeo Point, North Hilo, Hawaii, extending three thousand feet seaward of the territorial sea baseline as shown on Exhibit "BBB", dated August 15, 1988.
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§13-256-150 Definition. The "West Hawaii Ocean Recreation Management Area" means all ocean waters and navigable streams from the southernmost boundary of Honaunau Bay, South Kona, to the north west boundary of Honokoa Gulch, North Kohala, Hawaii, extending three thousand feet seaward of the territorial sea baseline.
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How do I access the ocean with my thrill craft on Hawaii Island?
Hawaii Island has designated thrill craft riding areas in Hilo Bay on the east side of the island and two designated riding zones south of Kailua Bay on the west side of the island. For the riding area in Hilo Bay, your access point is Wailoa Sampan Basin and Boat Harbor. For the riding areas off Kailua-Kona, your access point is Kailua-Kona Wharf.
If you are planning to use any of these three designated riding areas, follow this procedure. From the entry point, you may launch and proceed at slow no wake speed while within 300 feet of nearest land. You must take the most direct route seaward with safety considerations toward the designated riding zone. You may accelerate once beyond 300 feet and deviate SLIGHTLY from your route to avoid other vessels, diver-down flags, swimmers, etc. Remember that you must reduce your rate of travel to slow-no-wake within 200 feet of those ocean users. Once in the designated riding area, you may operate freely with the exception of tow-in surfing and practice tow-in surfing. All other rules apply for water skiing, water tubing, fishing, etc.
In an ORMA without a riding area, you can still legally transit through the ORMA to a point 3,000 feet from nearest land to fish, water ski, water tube, dive, etc. If you are launching into a non-designated ORMA, you may transit to a point beyond 500 feet from shore or beyond the fringing reef. Remember that you cannot tow-in surf or practice tow-in surfing without meeting specific requirements.
If you are launching into a non-designated ORMA, you may transit to a point beyond 500 feet from shore or beyond the fringing reef. Remember that you cannot tow-in surf and practice tow-in surfing without meeting specific requirements. It is illegal to operate a thrill craft closer than 500 feet to nearest land in a non-designated ORMA.
These are your points of entry:
- Honokohau Boat Harbor
- Kailua-Kona Wharf
- Kauhako (Hookena) Ramp
- Kawaihae Harbor
- Keauhou Boat Harbor
- Puako Ramp
- Wailoa Sampan Basin and Boat Harbor
In addition, you may gain access to the ocean waters from a county ramp, from a private beachfront property, from a private yacht harbor or marina, or from a private loading dock.
Observe the whale season closure for one of the designated riding areas south of Kailua-Kona.
Cautionary Note: Be on the lookout for whales during whale season.
