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The state will temporarily ban kayaks, surfboards and other watercraft in waters around Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park while it devises rules to protect the heavily used area, the Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Wednesday.
The moratorium will take effect Wednesday. The department did not say how long it will last.
The area is where a 15-year-old boy from New York was swept to his death July 4 while on an outdoor adventure tour.
During the moratorium, people will not be allowed to operate, launch, transit, beach or land kayaks and other vessels from Napoopoo, within the waters of Kealakekua Bay, and at Kaawaloa Flats, DLNR said.
Also prohibited in the closed area will be other floatation devices and watercraft such as stand-up paddle boards, surfboards and bodyboards. Swim- ming and snorkeling are allowed in the bay, but no landing anywhere or entry at Kaawaloa will be permitted.
The proliferation of unpermitted commercial kayak outings at Napoopoo has raised concerns about their impact on the quality of resources in the water and at Kaawaloa Flats, the state said.
"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," DLNR Director William Aila said in a news release. "This management action is needed to ensure the sustainability of this resource now and in the future."
Specific vessels with existing permits will be allowed. Once certain planned management and regulatory action is completed, the launching and landing of kayaks at Napoopoo and Kaawaloa Flats will be allowed, DLNR said.
The Division of State Parks is developing an online permitting system that will issue permits for a maximum number of kayak rentals for 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.
Tyler Madoff of White Plains, N.Y., was on a tour with Hawaii Pack and Paddle on July 4 when waves swept him and a 15-year-old Miami boy from a tide pool area out to sea. Guides rescued the Miami teen but Madoff’s body was never found.
The state revoked the company’s permit in September.
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