The Board of Land and Natural Resources approved today proposed commercial boating rules for Hanalei Bay on Kauai. The new rules will be sent to the governor’s office and are expected to be adopted in the next two weeks.

Board member Ron Agor said he and the Division of Boating and Recreation will observe how the rules affect commercial boating activities at the bay this summer and possibly through next summer. “We’re at a place where it’s a good start,” said Agor.

Brian Lansing, owner of Whitey’s Boat Cruises, who testified at today’s meeting, said he supports the new rules.

Lansing asked the board to change one item to increase the maximum number of passengers to 45 instead of 30 for each permit issued. Lansing, who has been operating his business at Hanalei Bay since 1973, said the increased number of passengers would help the business as it operates tours on only about 150 days per year due to weather-related reasons.

The board kept the number of passengers at 30, but said it is open to changing it depending on the assessment.