Hawaii - Documents
On arrival the following documents will need to be shown:
- clearance (zarpe) from the previous port;
- a Ships Stores Declaration;
- crew list;
- Crew’s Effects Declaration;
- Ships papers;
- Insurance documents.
Cruising License:
US regulations state that foreign yachts from certain countries can obtain a cruising license on arrival, which exempts them from having to clear in and out in each port once the first entry clearance is completed.
The countries which are eligible for this licence are: Argentina, Austria, Australia, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Liberia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom (including Turks and Caicos, St Vincent, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Anguilla).
This list, which includes countries that grant similar privileges to US yachts, is subject to change. The license is issued on entry by Customs. It is valid for up to one year. Successive licenses are not usually granted.
Foreign yachts, whether or not holding a cruising license, are still required to notify Customs by telephone on arrival in major ports.
Yachts not entitled to a cruising license must obtain a Permit to Proceed to each subsequent port and they must make entry at all major ports while cruising Hawaii.
Other documents:
Skippers of any boat with an engine over 10hp must be in possession of a Certificate of Competence with an endorsement for Hawaiian waters. The only exception is a foreign-flagged cruising boat staying for less than 60 days. See this document for details. There is a minimum fine of $50.
Last updated: March 2018
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Effective February 14, 2023, and until further notice, the DOBOR Kauai District Office and Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor Office will have limited hours of 7:45am to 1:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
It is possible to clear in at Ko’Olina Marina (Barber’s Point) on Oahu. Officers came from Honolulu to board us and clear us in within 2 hours of arrival on both of our visits (April & June 2018).
We were required to pay for a local contractor to dispose of all garbage deemed “foreign” by the Agriculture clearance agent when arriving from overseas – the cost of this was VERY expensive: $150 + $90/bag, max bag weight 20lbs.
We were advised that the only trash that could be guaranteed not to be deemed “foreign” and require expensive sterilization/incineration was clean beverage containers suitable for recycling that no animal or vegetable products had ever touched – i.e. soda and beer cans, water bottles, etc.
Even clean washed empty cans, glass jars (pickles, jam, etc) and clean plastic wrappers were required to be incinerated.
It is not possible to haul out in Ala Wai. Keehi Marine Center (Honolulu) on Oahu and Ko Olina (Barbers Point Harbour) offer haul outs, Keehi is cheaper.
If you need a slip, get one at the Yacht Club, better facilities and security patrols constantly.
Mike Fossl reports that it is no longer possible to clear in at Nawiliwili / Port Allen.