Without a U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license, Hawaii law requires all boaters to successfully complete a boating safety certification course prior to operating any vessel in the state.

This course outlines boating safety guidelines and the rules of the road as part of its curriculum. An example would be the use of navigational channel markers and safety buoys that outline safe travel between shallow areas and identify specific areas like swim zones and underwater hazards that can ruin your day forever.

Let’s look at Kahului small-boat harbor: There is no fixed channel markers except the one green buoy that is partially submerged. That’s it. The rest broke away and were never replaced, liability at night for sure.

Kanaha swim zone and Kaanapali are other examples of safety buoys that should be there but are not.

How can we teach safe boating without a basic safety floor plan in place?

Respectfully, auwe!

Nalu Yen

Wailuku