Who Enforces Boating Laws?

Hawaii DLNR officers and all other enforcement officers enforce the boating laws of Hawaii. USCG officers also patrol and have enforcement authority on federally controlled waters.

• Officers have the authority to stop and board your vessel in order to check that you are complying with state and federal laws.
• It is illegal to refuse to follow the directive of a person with law enforcement authority. An operator who has received a visual or audible signal from a law enforcement officer must bring his or her vessel to a stop.