Two cruise ships, which are under the Royal Caribbean umbrella, recently came close enough to Kauai’s north shore that residents asked local authorities to investigate.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority said it has engaged government authorities and the cruise industry to discuss the incident after images of the ships began circulating on social media.

Social media shows the Royal Caribbean’s Celebrity Edge near the Na Pali Coast during a May 1 visit to Kauai. Later that same day, social media imagery shows Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas passing near the coast while on a repositioning sail. Royal Caribbean could not be reached for an immediate comment.

Kalani Ka‘ana‘ana, who transitioned into the role of HTA chief stewardship officer in January as part of HTA’s increasing focus on destination management and stewardship, said the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which governs Hawaii’s near-shore waters, is investigating the incidents. Hawaii Administrative Rules require at least 3,000 feet seaward from shore in the Na Pali Coast ocean waters, and prohibit commercial vessels with a carrying capacity of 50 or more passengers from operating there.

Ka‘ana‘ana said HTA has contacted Royal Caribbean along with other cruise operators that visit Hawaii to underscore the importance of compliance with all state and local regulations.

“We will let DLNR’s investigation reach its conclusion. But I think for us, we want to impress upon the cruise operators the sensitivity both ecologically and culturally to the Na Pali Coast and the Kauai community as well as the Hawaii community in general,” he said.

Ka‘ana‘ana said HTA is thankful to the community members who reached out to share concerns about the cruise ships. He said community members who believe that a boat or ship is operating inappropriately are encouraged to call 808-643-DLNR (3567).

Ka‘ana‘ana said HTA is preparing to hold culture and ecology sensitivity training, perhaps in August, with all of the cruise lines that operate in Hawaii and the port agents. Ka‘ana‘ana said HTA also will share the concerns about cruise ships that were outlined in the Destination Management Action Plans — the resident-driven plans advising HTA how they want to manage tourism on each of their islands.

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Allison Schaefers, aschaefers@staradvertiser.com