Definitions of Oahu ORMAs

§13-256-60 Definition. "North Shore Oahu Ocean Recreation Management Area" means all ocean waters and navigable streams from Kaena Point to Kahuku Point, Oahu, Hawaii, extending three thousand feet seaward of the territorial sea baseline as shown on Exhibit "N", dated August 15, 1988.

§13-256-71 Definitions. "Windward Oahu Ocean Recreation Management Area" means all ocean waters and navigable streams from the northwest boundary of Kahana Bay to Makapuu Point, Oahu, Hawaii, extending three thousand feet seaward of the territorial sea baseline as shown on Exhibit "T", dated August 15, 1988.

§13-256-86 Definition. "South Shore Oahu Ocean Recreation Management Area" means all ocean waters and navigable streams from Makapuu Point to the west boundary of the Honolulu International Airport Reef Runway, Oahu, Hawaii, extending three thousand feet seaward of the territorial sea baseline as shown on Exhibit "CC", dated August 15, 1988.

How do I access the ocean with my thrill craft on Oahu?

Oahu has numerous designated thrill craft riding areas. There are two in the waters off Haleiwa you may access from Haleiwa Small Boat Harbor (SBH). In Kaneohe Bay, there is one sizable, designated riding area accessible from Heeia Kea SBH. There is a ramp in Maunalua Bay allowing you access to the two riding zones in that waterway, a small zone specifically for novice riders, and a large zone farther offshore. There is one large riding area adjacent to the reef runway of Honolulu International Airport on the south shore, which you can access using the two launch ramps at Keehi SBH.

If you are planning to use any of these three designated riding areas, follow this procedure. From the entry point, you may launch and proceed at slow no wake speed while within 300 feet of nearest land. You must take the most direct route seaward with safety considerations toward the designated riding zone. You may accelerate once beyond 300 feet and deviate SLIGHTLY from your route to avoid other vessels, diver-down flags, swimmers, etc. Remember that you must reduce your rate of travel to slow-no-wake within 200 feet of those ocean users. Once in the designated riding area, you may operate freely with the exception of tow-in surfing and practice tow-in surfing. All other rules apply for water skiing, water tubing, fishing, etc.

Every ORMA on Oahu has a designated riding area. Even if you are not planning to stay in the designated riding area, you can still legally transit through the ORMA to a point 3,000 feet from nearest land to fish, water ski, water tube, dive, etc., following the aforementioned transiting procedure. It is illegal to operate a thrill craft outside of a designated riding zone and closer than 3,000 feet to nearest land in an ORMA.

If you are launching into a non-designated ORMA, you may transit to a point beyond 500 feet from shore or beyond the fringing reef. Remember that you cannot tow-in surf and practice tow-in surfing without meeting specific requirements. It is illegal to operate a thrill craft closer than 500 feet to nearest land in a non-designated ORMA.

These are your points of entry:

• Hana Wharf and Ramp
• Haleiwa Harbor
• Heeia Kea Harbor
• Kahana Bay Launch Ramp Facility
• Keehi Harbor
• Maunalua Bay Launch Ramp Facility
• Sand Island Launch Ramp Facility
• Waianae Harbor

In addition, you may gain access to the ocean waters from a county ramp, from a private beachfront property, from a private yacht harbor or marina, or from a private loading dock.

Observe the whale season closure for the designated riding areas in Maunalua Bay and off Haleiwa.

Cautionary Note: Be on the lookout for whales during whale season.