Jet Ski Public Meeting

Jet skis (personal water craft), in my opinion, do not belong anywhere on or near the island of Molokai. It has been wisely decided up to the present time to keep use of these craft restricted (i.e. banned by law) for a number of excellent reasons. Chief among them are excessive noise, gross pollution of the air and water, and frequently irresponsible behavior by those who operate them.

Jet skis belong in the same category as all other severely annoying and aggravating motor-driven devices that may be and usually are operated with utter disregard for preservation of a sense of peace and serenity; this group of machines includes leaf blowers, chain saws, snowmobiles, and many largely unmuffled motorcycles. All of these devices, while designed and manufactured to serve a logical purpose, have been pointed out as the principal source of a growing urban and rural 'noise pollution' problem, among other things. Excessive noise, unfortunately, is today becoming as serious a threat to our quality of life as pollution of the physical environment itself.

It has been demonstrated time and time again that these motorized aquatic vehicles have a substantially adverse impact on the physical environment, in terms of their ability to pollute. One excellent example to be found on the mainland is beautiful Lake Tahoe, formerly a pristine lake of calm and scenic beauty high up in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Today, thanks largely to largely uncontrolled use of motorised aquatic vehicles, formerly serene Lake Tahoe is rapidly becoming the most polluted body of inland water on the Western mainland. This is simply one example out of literally thousands in which small motorized aquatic vehicles (like jet skis) have played a major part in severely damaging or destroying the environment. Polluting both the air and the water they operate in, they have few redeeming qualities to offer at all (aside from recreation) except possibly as ‘water safety/rescue’ devices, operated legally (and safely) by municipal and state public safety officers.

As a surfer, I hold the further opinion that while jet skis have allowed access to large and perhaps otherwise unsurfable winter waves at some venues (such as Oahu North Shore), they strongly detract from the ancient and traditional waterman culture of the islands that has always put personal strength and physical ability first. From an aesthetic standpoint, they standout as an ugly element that is not in harmony with Kai or he’e nalu, and they are at best highly disrespectful to the natural ocean it is our responsibility to honor and protect.

Further, devices such as jet skis encourage irresponsible and unacceptable behavior that has an adverse effect on the community. All too often operators of personal watercraft operate those vehicles under the influence of alcohol. Even if the operator is not drunk, the lively response and extreme maneuverability of such craft readily encourage obnoxious behavior—particularly when they are operated by immature or juvenile individuals. This is not respecting the rights of others who may wish to preserve a sense of peaceful and harmonious tranquility for all to enjoy.

Anyone who enjoys and appreciates the natural beauty of the great ocean we all depend upon would likely agree that these small, noisy, and extremely annoying water craft have no place around divers, kayakers, small sailing craft, and other human or wind powered vessels. To allow them to operate legally, even if subject to strict regulation, would be to open a Pandora’s box full of problems in all the areas touched upon above.

I say NO! Keep jet ski watercraft out of Molokai waters. This is only my opinion, but I feel very strongly about this threat to our Molokai nui a Hina; I hope others share this feeling, as well. Mahalo for listening!

-Kalikiano

I would like to just make a corretion to the information provided regarding 13-256-16 (d). It does not say you have to complete a PWC course through the University of Hawaii Community Colleges; it is through an institution of higher education and that reciprocity (recognition) of PWC certification may be through a NASBLA recognized course from another state that also includes Hawaii itself. Below is the actually law:

(d) Effective January 2005, all recreational thrill craft operators shall be required to possess, and make available upon demand of enforcement personnel, a certificate of completion from an accredited institution of higher education on the safe use and operation of a thrill craft. The State may recognize reciprocity with other states, i.e., the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved portion of the personal water craft course; however, all operators shall be required to complete the portions of a certificate course for Hawaii that includes, but is not limited to: (1) Local ocean safety principles and practices; (2) The historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaii?s ocean users; and (3) Any rules or laws pertaining to protected species and thrill craft operation in the State.