Hawaii Jet Skiing Laws Revamped for 2020

[bird]

I just got back from a 10 day trip to Kauai and O'ahu. While sitting on the beach, all I did was dream about riding those waves with my Jet Ski!...and stare at cheeky bikinis. From what I remember reading on the forums, PWCs are very limited in use on the islands. Mostly harbors and tow in surfing. Then I saw Sit downs beaching after doing tow in surfing, and it got my wondering.

Well they just repealed the laws on PWC usage dated 12/31/19!
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/personal-water-craft/

There are so many beaches in Hawaii that are NOT great surf spots, but would make excellent Jet Skiing areas. Stands up of course

If I ever go back to Kauai, I'm doing a two week Air BNB. For the price of renting a car during that time, I could ship my Suburban to Hawaii with my Jet ski inside of it.
https://www.montway.com/ship-cars-to-hawaii

I want to know and hear about all of your Hawaii knowledge.

GO

 

[rhugo21]

Bryce-

Sold a Superjet in late 2019 to a Hawaiian living in LA. He said what you read on the forums is BS. Said you can ride surf there just not some of the well known surf spots. Pretty much same rules as California.

Said they just need to be registered and you’re golden


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bird]

Bryce-

Sold a Superjet in late 2019 to a Hawaiian living in LA. He said what you read on the forums is BS. Said you can ride surf there just not some of the well known surf spots. Pretty much same rules as California.

Said they just need to be registered and you’re golden


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is great. I've always wanted a place to go for the winter months. I can WFH in Hawaii as long as I have internet, which is no prob these days.

 

[SuperJETT]

Bryce-

Sold a Superjet in late 2019 to a Hawaiian living in LA. He said what you read on the forums is BS. Said you can ride surf there just not some of the well known surf spots. Pretty much same rules as California.

Said they just need to be registered and you’re golden


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My knowledge was firsthand from the early 90's. The water around most of Oahu was regulated pretty tightly in terms of what you could do there. I got 2 tickets for riding in unauthorized areas, one at Haleiwa on the north shore and one at Hawaii Kai on the southeast side. It was pretty ridiculous.

For those reasons, my buddy and I just stayed at Hickam AFB most of the time as the surf break wasn't bad at all, it was close, and almost never any surfers except for an occasional military guy trying it out.

I'm glad to see it has changed.

 

[SuperJETT]

I take that back, the ORMA zones have not changed one bit in almost 30 years.

Hawaii Kai - notice how narrow the zone is and that it's close for 1/2 the year



Haleiwa

 

[ATXSKI]

Hey just FYI I (under an older username) made a post regarding riding jet skis in hawaii. probably back in 2015 or 2016 when I was living there. I took boater safety in Hawaii.

Hawaii is no fun for stand up jet skis. They exist (I saw them for sale) but I literally never used mine as I couldn't find a comfortable way to enjoy the use of a stand up while also knowing we take breaks on the beach. Additionally, staying in the zones would be quite hard.

Anyways, I know of a secondary exotic location with great waves and super friendly watercraft laws.

 

[SXIPro]

Recreational Thrill Craft Zone. Someone owns a thesaurus.

 

[Quinc]

I just got back from a 10 day trip to Kauai and O'ahu. While sitting on the beach, all I did was dream about riding those waves with my Jet Ski!...and stare at cheeky bikinis. From what I remember reading on the forums, PWCs are very limited in use on the islands. Mostly harbors and tow in surfing. Then I saw Sit downs beaching after doing tow in surfing, and it got my wondering.

Well they just repealed the laws on PWC usage dated 12/31/19!
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dobor/personal-water-craft/

There are so many beaches in Hawaii that are NOT great surf spots, but would make excellent Jet Skiing areas. Stands up of course

If I ever go back to Kauai, I'm doing a two week Air BNB. For the price of renting a car during that time, I could ship my Suburban to Hawaii with my Jet ski inside of it.
https://www.montway.com/ship-cars-to-hawaii

I want to know and hear about all of your Hawaii knowledge.

GO

Might be easier to post an add on craigslist asking to rent one. I have seen them come up for sale on the Hawaii CL.

 

[66gt40]

Hey Bird,

It appears that the only regulation they appealed was one that restricted use further then 2 miles from shore. I live on Oahu now. Used to do a ton of riding when I was previously stationed on the east coast of FL. Would love a ski out here but the juice doesn't seem worth the squeeze.

SuperJETT- Were you able to ride ski's in Hickam Harbor? Do you remember what the permitting process was? That seems promising...there's even a bar for the essential post ride hydration.

 

[SuperJETT]

SuperJETT- Were you able to ride ski's in Hickam Harbor? Do you remember what the permitting process was? That seems promising...there's even a bar for the essential post ride hydration.

My buddy and I rode Hickam most of the time since we were active Navy, no permit or anything and never a single hassle. When we weren't out to sea, we'd be there 2-4 times/week normally. The break is decent on the left of the 'channel', not so much on the right, and we could hang out on the runway breakwater---that may not be possible now with airport restrictions?

We even kept some mushroom anchors out there with floats that sat about 1' underwater so we could tie off. We ran buoys, rode surf, did some videos, etc etc.

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

My buddy and I rode Hickam most of the time since we were active Navy, no permit or anything and never a single hassle. When we weren't out to sea, we'd be there 2-4 times/week normally. The break is decent on the left of the 'channel', not so much on the right, and we could hang out on the runway breakwater---that may not be possible now with airport restrictions?

We even kept some mushroom anchors out there with floats that sat about 1' underwater so we could tie off. We ran buoys, rode surf, did some videos, etc etc.

I know I'm bringing up an old thread but screw it. The left side of Hickam (leaving the channel) is a great spot to ride [and surf] and they have that small public ramp near Hickam beach and is relatively easy to bail if the waves get too much. My big concern is that reef right near by, at low tide you can damn near drive out there, if you got caught up in it you'd be screwed. I had a friend who worked at the Dive Locker there on Hickam near Battery Point and thats were we would launch.

Additional spots I've rode are Electric Beach (you can drive right up onto the beach) and the waves aren't too insane. Makaha Beach isn't bad either as parking is right near the water and wouldn't be too hard with a beach cart, however your pretty much SOL if the swell picks up. I've seen those waves come over the entire beach and splash onto the road there. And that area also has rocks on either side closer to the beach, especially on the north side. There are a few other spots that were nice little areas, but the ski culture isn't really there. There are some rentals in Waikiki, but they're all Sparks. Plus most people want something a bit bigger so they opt for boats.

My buddy still lives there and he says he's seen a few Fish Pros but outside of that its pretty scarce. If I make my way back there I'll definitely bring my skis.

 

[g1casey]

is there any active members in Hawaii that ride? looking to purchase a ski before I air freight 2 of mine out here from the east coast

 

[Overg22]

is there any active members in Hawaii that ride? looking to purchase a ski before I air freight 2 of mine out here from the east coast

Yes me and my son just bought a Kawasaki stand up 750 and a Yamaha wave raider. Do you have a ski? Hit me up.

 

[Overg22]

My buddy and I rode Hickam most of the time since we were active Navy, no permit or anything and never a single hassle. When we weren't out to sea, we'd be there 2-4 times/week normally. The break is decent on the left of the 'channel', not so much on the right, and we could hang out on the runway breakwater---that may not be possible now with airport restrictions?

We even kept some mushroom anchors out there with floats that sat about 1' underwater so we could tie off. We ran buoys, rode surf, did some videos, etc etc.

Did you ride by the reef runway out of sight from Hickam marina and Hickam beach?
I have a standup that I can’t get registered and don’t want to be hassled by the Hawaii DLNR. Do think I will be ok if I stay in that area?

 

[badm0t0rfinger]

Did you ride by the reef runway out of sight from Hickam marina and Hickam beach?
I have a standup that I can’t get registered and don’t want to be hassled by the Hawaii DLNR. Do think I will be ok if I stay in that area?

Like I said be careful riding out near there; that reef is no joke, but as far as being hassled by authorities? probably not.

 

[Thoffman]

Crazy