Section 13-256-16 - Thrill craft operations; general provisions(a) No person under fifteen years of age shall operate a thrill craft. No person shall permit, or mislead another person into permitting, a person under fifteen years of age to operate a thrill craft.(b) No person shall operate thrill craft within a marine life conservation district or marine natural area reserve.(c) Thrill craft operations shall be curtailed in certain designated areas as described in subchapters two through eleven as necessary, to: (1) Avoid possible adverse impacts on humpback whales or other protected marine life;(2) Provide for increased public access;(3) Reduce user conflicts; and(4) Promote overall public safety.(d) Effective January 2005, all recreational thrill craft operators shall be required to possess, and make available upon demand of enforcement personnel, a certificate of completion from a state approved course on the safe use and operation of a thrill craft. The State may recognize reciprocity with other states, i.e., the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved portion of the personal water craft course; however, all operators shall be required to complete the portions of a certificate course for Hawaii that includes, but is not limited to:(1) Local ocean safety principles and practices;(2) The historical, cultural, and customary practices of Hawaii's ocean users; and(3) Any rules or laws pertaining to protected species and thrill craft operation in the State.(e) All thrill craft operators and passengers shall be required to wear a personal flotation device in accordance with section 13-243-1.(f) All persons holding or receiving a certificate of completion under this section are exempt from section 13-244-15.5 for purposes of operating thrill craft.[Eff 2/24/94 am JUL 5, 2003] (Auth: HRS §§ 200-22, 200-24) (Imp: HRS §§ 200-22, 200-24)[Eff 2/24/94; am 7/5/ 2003; am 11/22/2014 ] (Auth: HRS §§ 200-22, 200-24) (Imp: HRS §§ 200-22, 200-24)