Kahoʻolawe reserve opens limited trolling Oct. 10–11 and Oct. 24–25

Kahoʻolawe will open two limited trolling weekends in October. Maui Now reported Sept. 25, 2026, that the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission approved Oct. 10–11 and Oct. 24–25, each running from 12:01 a.m. Saturday to 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

The reserve is otherwise closed. The commission cites unexploded ordnance on and around the island and protection of marine resources. On those weekends, permitted vessels may troll in water more than 30 fathoms deep inside the reserve, which extends two nautical miles from the island. All other fishing, ocean recreation, and commercial use stays prohibited.

Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules 13-261 require annual registration before a vessel enters to troll. The fee is $25. A catch report is required after every trip, including trips with no fish. A new permit condition makes the permittee responsible for keeping invasive plants and animals — the commission names invasive algae and barnacles — out of the reserve, and the hull must be free of invasive species. Unregistered entry can bring criminal penalties of up to a $1,000 fine or 30 days in jail, and administrative fines of $10,000, $15,000, and $25,000 for a first, second, and later violation within five years. Registration goes through Dean Tokishi at 808-243-5022 or dean.tokishi@hawaii.gov, or the packet at kahoolawe.hawaii.gov.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Maui Now — Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission sets October trolling dates (Sept. 25, 2026).