Honolulu, HI – The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) has announced that its dedicated marine patrol units are now actively operating on all major Hawaiian islands: O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island, Maui, and Kaua‘i. This expansion aims to enhance the protection of Hawaii’s invaluable natural and cultural resources, particularly along its extensive coastline and nearshore waters.
“Our marine patrol units are vital to our mission of protecting the natural and cultural resources of Hawai’i,” stated DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla. He emphasized the state’s more than 700 miles of coastline, noting that DOCARE is responsible for law enforcement from the high water mark of beaches out to three miles seaward.
Lt. Errol “Sparky” Kane, who leads the O‘ahu marine patrol unit, underscored the importance of this work during a recent south shore patrol. “Hawai’i’s engine is our natural resources. It’s the ocean and the mountains and the climate that make people want to come here. In order to preserve and protect these resources we have to have an enforcement presence that works mauka to makai (mountains to ocean),” Kane commented. His team typically conducts patrols four to five days a week.
While enforcement is part of their duties, DOCARE officers often prioritize education. During a recent O‘ahu patrol, officers issued a warning to a personal watercraft (PWC) owner who had pulled his craft onto a prohibited beach. Similarly, three surfers found in a restricted area were asked to leave, demonstrating a focus on voluntary compliance.
On Hawai‘i Island, the marine patrol unit, composed of three officers, recently conducted a night operation off Keauhou Bay, assisting with compliance checks on commercial tour boats observing manta rays. Officers performed “safety boardings,” verifying vessels had all required safety equipment and were properly licensed and permitted.
Earlier the same day, DOCARE officers on Hawai‘i Island also patrolled Kealakekua Bay with a primary focus on preventing improper interactions between kayakers and other boaters with spinner dolphins. During this patrol, they conducted safety checks on several fishing boats. While no citations were issued, one operator received a warning for having a child on board without a required personal flotation device.
A drone was deployed at Kealakekua Bay after officers observed a school of dolphins near kayaks and commercial tour boats, with one particular kayak appearing to potentially be chasing dolphins. DOCARE Officer Amanda Llanes used the drone to investigate, noting the complexities of determining federal law violations related to protected marine species.
Officer Llanes explained that federal laws for protected marine species supersede state laws, and DOCARE officers are deputized by NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) to investigate and collect evidence. “Currently, NOAA OLE has no officers stationed on Hawai’i Island,” Llanes said, “So, we go out and document, provide reports and evidence and forward it to NOAA. They decide whether or not to prosecute.”
Members of DOCARE’s marine patrol units are described as expert watermen and waterwomen, many with backgrounds as lifeguards. Lieutenant Kane emphasized their approach: “Here in Hawai’i we try not to be too forceful, because that’s not our nature. We try to give people a break, but we can only give so many breaks. If we told you once, you’ll probably get a citation the second time around. So, we try not to be too forceful just because this is what we do in Hawai’i, the Aloha spirit.”