Video by David Corrigan, voice of Stephanie Salazar

KEALAKEKUA BAY, Hawaii: A moratorium on kayaking tours in Kealakekua Bay continues.

The Department of Land and Natural resources placed a kapu on using kayaks in the area on January 2nd – that includes a ban on launching or landing kayaks – as well as other vessels from Napoopoo, within the waters of Kealakekua Bay, and at Kaawaloa Flats.

At the time, DLNR blamed the proliferation and use of unpermitted kayak rentals at Napoopoo, and concerns about their impact on the general public’s experience and the quality of resources in the water and at Kaawaloa Flats. DLNR said the moratorium had nothing to do with Madoff death on July 4th.

The kayak ban has put a damper on business for local companies like Aloha Kayak, one of the few with a legal permit to use the bay, run by Iwa Kalua.

Management of Kealakekua Bay is now under the the DLNR’s Parks Division.

No word yet on when the moratorium will be lifted… but once it is, all commercial activity, and recreational kayak and vessel use at Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park will require a permit.