Kahoolawe Open For Trolling in September

Map of Kahoolawe, courtesy KIRC.

By Sonia Isotov

Trolling by permitted vessels only will be allowed on two weekends in September, announced the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) today.

Permitted vessels will be allowed to troll in waters surrounding Kaho`olawe Island on Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9 and on Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and September 30.

Access to the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve waters is highly restricted because of the continued presence of unexploded ordnance, as well as for the protection of marine resources within the reserve.

However, during two scheduled weekends each month, limited trolling is allowed in reserve waters deeper than 30 fathoms for vessels permitted by the KIRC. “Reserve waters” are defined as within two nautical miles of Kaho’olawe Island. All other fishing, ocean recreation, commercial and/or any other activities are strictly prohibited.

Hawai’i Administrative Rules (HAR 13-261) require that all vessels must register annually with the KIRC before entering the reserve to troll during designated trolling dates. Failure to register with the KIRC may result in criminal and civil penalties.

Criminal penalties may result in a fine of $1,000 or imprisonment up to 30 days; administrative penalties may result in a fine of up to $10,000 for a first violation; $15,000 for a second violation within five years; and, as much as $25,000 for a third or subsequent violation within five years of the last violation, according to Hawaii Revised Statute 6K-8, 8.5.

Registered vessels are also required to file a catch report with the KIRC any time they fish in the Reserve, whether fish are caught or not.

To register with the KIRC, or for more information, contact Dean Tokishi at 808-243-5889, [email protected], or visit http://kahoolawe.hawaii.gov to download a registration packet. Registration packets are also available at the Division of Boating and Recreation (DOBOR) at 210 Inri Kala Street, Suite 205, Wailuku.