New rules will limit kayaking, paddling at Kealakekua Bay

By Ian Scheuring KEALAKEKUA BAY, BIG ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) - In an effort to "improve the management, quality and sustainability" of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources will temporarily limit the use of certain vessels in waters at the park. Beginning on January 2, 2013, there will be no operating, launching, transiting, beaching or landing of kayaks and other vessels from Napoopoo, within the waters of Kealakekua Bay, and at Kaawaloa Flats. Also prohibited in the closed area will be other floatation devices and watercraft such as stand-up paddle boards, surfboards, and boogie boards. However, these items can still be used outside the closed area. Swimming and snorkeling are allowed in the bay, but no landing anywhere or entry at Kaawaloa will be permitted. "DLNR recognizes Kealakekua State Historical Park's deep cultural significance, the quality of its marine resources and the overall economic value to both the local community and the visitor industry," said William J. Aila Jr., DLNR chairperson. "This management action is needed to ensure the sustainability of this resource now and in the future." The proliferation and use of unpermitted kayak rentals being conducted at Napoopoo have resulted in concerns about their subsequent impact on the general public's experience and the quality of resources in the water and at Kaawaloa Flats. Specific vessels with existing permits will be allowed, and new permits for specific vessels --which will only be allowed to transit the water -- are being prepared. Once certain planned management and regulatory action is completed, the launching and landing of kayaks at Napoopoo and Kaawaloa Flats will be allowed. The Division of State Parks is developing an online permitting system that will allow permits for a maximum number of kayak rentals to be used by visitors per day, and will issue annual permits for residents' kayaks along with pre-existing authorized kayak tour operators with established patronage limits. After the moratorium is lifted, all commercial activity, and recreational kayak and vessel use at Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park will require a permit. Copyright 2012 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

Sea Monster

Found this big Whale Shark off of Red Hill the other day! Very friendly, made several passes around the boat even a couple of bumps.

First Humpback Has Arrived

We saw our first whale of the season the other day! They are all on their way down from Alaska for another winter in Hawaii. Stay tuned we'll start posting whale pictures as soon as we get 'um.

Capt'n Bill

Capt'n Bill, Erin and happy guests at End of the World

My How Times Have Changed...

A group of 27 sailors in their tropical whites sit around the monument. This photo is thought to date from about 1880. There is a possibility that these sailors are a work party from HMS Fantome which delivered twelve 32 pound cannon to form the perimeter. The monument was erected in 1874, and the cannon were added several years later.

Good Day for Pilot Whales

Flat glassy water made for great Pilot Whale viewing! Kahea and Brittany were enjoying the day too...

Tropicbird

Found a Long Tailed Tropicbird chick floundering in the water. Put him ashore to dry out, gone the next day!

The Canadians Are Coming...

Last week a Canadian warship showed up in the bay. The shore party did a complete clean up/paint job of the monument. Mahalo Canada, looks great!

Whaleshark!!!!

We found a whaleshark today! Totally harmless and docile, once in a lifetime for our guests. Thanks to Capt'n Joe for these awesome pictures!

Mauna Loa is Huge!

Sea Fever by John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face, and a grey dawn breaking, I must down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied; And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying, And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. I must down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life, To the gull's way and the whale's way where the wind's like a whetted knife; And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover, And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over.

The Capt'n

Emma dog takes a moment for the Capt'n

Hikiau Heiau

The view of Ka'awaloa and Captain Cook Moument from Hikiau Heiau

Dead Pilot Whale

Seaquest Sunrise

Heading out to pick up guests early morning. Sun rising over Hualalai.

Bull

Big male Pilot Whale not afraid of rubber boats.

some more Pilot Whales

We found another pod the next day! My theory is that they must have been feeding on squid last night somewhere close to shore for us to find them on the morning trip.

Pilot Whale Encounter

About a mile offshore of Honaunau we came across a pod of Pilot Whales. They weren't the least bit concerned with us and swam right under the boat. Kahea took these pictures hanging off the side of the boat with a Canon powershot D10.

False Killer Whale. Data by Cascadia Research Collective, Robin Baird Scientist.

Thought you would be interested, the tag deployed on a false killer whale off the big island in October is still transmitting (as of yesterday), 164 days after tagging, the second-longest LIMPET tag deployment in Hawaii and the third-longest overall. The attached map shows movements over the last 10 days (with the tag transmitting over a 24 hour span out of every 5 days, so the map shows locations from March 27 and 28, April 1, 2, 6, and 7). The tagged individual, an adult female (HIPc155 in our catalog), was first documented off Oahu in 2002 and is part of “cluster 3”, a social group with a known high use area north of Oahu and Molokai based on previous satellite tag deployments. After leaving the big island HIPc155 has spent most of the last three months in the area from north of Oahu to north of Molokai.

Aloha Humpbacks

The Humpbacks have said goodbye to Kona for now. Everyone is on their way back to Alaska. Here's a few more of Susan's shots to hold you over til next season.

The Whales

We heard 30% of the Humpback whales stayed in Alaska this winter. Hmmm

Whale Watchin'

Go to our website and sign up now for the next Whale Watch.

http://www.seaquesthawaii.com/

They're Here

Humpbacks have arrived with more on the way!