Investigation of cruise ship sighted off the Napali coast in Kauai yields no results | News, Sports, Jobs

KAHULUI – A two-pronged investigation by the DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) found no evidence that the Celebrity Cruise Lines vessel, the Celebrity Edge, violated state regulations while sailing off Kauai’s Napali Coast State Wilderness Park earlier this month.

DOCARE officials on Kaua’i and O’ahu investigated the incident after social media posts showed the 2,908-passenger vessel allegedly sailed too close to shore and there were community concerns about the incident.

Hawaii’s Administrative Regulations (HAR) for the marine waters off the Napali coast prohibit entry to all vessels carrying more than 50 passengers and require such vessels to stay at least 3,000 feet from shore.

When the ship returned to Honolulu Harbor, O’ahu officials boarded the vessel and questioned the captain and ship’s master. The captain said he had full control of the vessel and was always in waters at least 100 feet deep. He was unsure how far the vessel was from shore.

On Kaua’i, the investigation focused on identifying witnesses who could provide relevant information. None of the witnesses could actually conclude that the 3,000-foot seaward distance was not maintained. Some witnesses did not want to be involved in the investigation and others only had second- or third-hand information or repeated what they had seen on social media.

The cruise line decided to offer trips along the Napali Coast after being unable to make calls in Lahaina due to last year’s wildfires. However, the DLNR believes the cruise industry is taking local residents’ concerns into account.

DOCARE concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support a reasonable suspicion or clear and convincing evidence to initiate criminal or civil proceedings at this time.