Hawaii’s Board of Land and Natural Resources has repealed rules requiring surf instructors, outrigger canoe captains and other commercial operators in Waikiki to certify their qualifications by taking a written and surfing test overseen by state inspectors, in order to get a permit.

It was the right thing to do, and overdue after eight years of consideration. Ocean-going employees will continue to be required to meet training and safety standards; however, the state will no longer test, eliminating a hiring logjam for operators. This also eliminates state liability for having certified an operator’s safety.