Rules and Regulations of Hawaiian Beaches

When you visit Hawaii, you're not planning to stay indoors all day with the kids; you want to get out, see the mountains, hike, ride horses, maybe even fly over a couple of volcanoes. But the main draw to this tropical paradise is the beach.

The best news about Hawaiian beaches is that they are, by law, all free and open to the public, with the exception of a few that are restricted to military use or that may be temporarily closed due to contamination, volcanic activity, or ecological impact. That means you can canoe or kayak around the islands and visit every beach.

You won't be able to hike to every beach, however. Those who own beachfront property are not required to give you access to the beach, even though the beach is public; that means some hotel beaches can only be reached from the hotel or from the ocean. In other cases, beaches are separated by rocky headlands or even lava flows.

There are some rules you must remember about every Hawaiian beach.

1. Fishing isn't free to the public. In a very few locations, you don't need a license, but if you're planning to do any deep-sea fishing or fishing from the shores of streams or the ocean, you'll need to obtain a visitor's fishing license from Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources. You can get this online; it's a good idea to pick one up before you go on vacation so you don't have to worry about standing in line, or picking your way through insane Hawaii streets.

2. Don't touch the wildlife. Like many islands, the Hawaiian islands are essentially a delicate self-contained ecosystem. The hona (sea turtles) and monk seals are both rare and very sensitive to human contact. The beaches aren't a petting zoo, and the coral reefs offshore have already been damaged by hundreds of visitors. There's one exception: most of the monk seals that die unnatural deaths are entangled in fishing nets. If you find a trapped seal while you're scuba diving, try to contact the authorities first (just call 911), but you can CAREFULLY attempt to help it reach air if the situation is critical. Above all, watch out for yourself; a frightened seal can be dangerous. Also, if you see sea turtles nesting or fresh turtle-egg nests, let local authorities know: the police(not 911), nearby lifeguards, park rangers, or whoever else is in charge; they'll be grateful for your help.

3. Check before taking ANYTHING. The black sand beaches of Punalu'u, on the Big Island, are protected by law. If you scoop up a little handful of sand and take it home with you, you're breaking the law. Ask lifeguards or park rangers before you make that do-it-yourself souvenir on any of Hawaii's beaches or other natural treasures.

4. Always bring water with you. Most Hawaiian beaches are undeveloped which means you're not going to find beach bars nearby. Instead of getting dehydrated while swimming easier to do than you'd think - bring bottled water with you, and make sure you drink some fairly frequently.

5. Beach waters can be hazardous. No matter how busy the beach or how alert the lifeguards seem, never ever swim alone. Pay attention to the hazard flags; even calm-looking water can have some deceptive undertows here. Speak to a lifeguard before you take your children into the water so he or she can inform you about any hazards you need to be aware of, and always listen to what the lifeguard tells you.

6. Make sure you know how deep that lagoon really is before diving in. Because Hawaiian waters are so clear, the bottom can be deceptively close or far away. And don't disobey hazard signs; a number of people have died at the Halona Blowhole because they think the water rushing out of the opening can't possibly be that dangerous. Wrong.

7. Those people in tents? They may not just be campers. Tragically, the last decade in Hawaii has seen an explosion of homelessness, and most of those affected are living in tents on the beaches in Oahu and the Big Island. Do NOT intrude on them. While most are homeless families who've just had a bout of bad luck, a significant proportion are drug addicts and/or criminals. This is not a safe scene.

8. If you want to camp, make sure you get a legal permit. You can get one at the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, or at the ranger center in some parks.

9. Don't wander along the beach at night, especially by yourself. Crime has recently been rising on the beach, and it is not safe to take that romantic moonlit stroll on secluded beaches. If you must do it, only do it in well-lit beach parks, like Waikiki or Ala Moana. Even then, be aware that you are running a risk. Similarly, don't hike alone; there are a few places on the islands where people hiking through rustic areas have just disappeared.

10. Look more than twice when crossing any streets. In the early months of 2007, Oahu alone was averaging one pedestrian-involved accident every day. The hospital is not where you want to spend your vacation. Never jaywalk, and never assume the cars will stop.