Na Pali tours from Hanalei
 

From today's Garden Island News (Kaua`i):

HANALEI — A Na Pali Coast tour company delivered the first of two rigid inflatable rafts to Hanalei River Boatyard on Wednesday, marking the return of motorized commercial operations to the privately owned site 14 years after the state pushed most tour boats out of a glutted bay.

The 38-foot Ocean Adventure will carry its first clients out of the shallow river that borders Black Pot Beach Park and travel through Hanalei Bay and up the Na Pali Coast on Sept. 25, said Mary Cagawa Garcia, co-owner of Lady Ann Cruises, doing business as Na Pali Explorer.

The business will start its Hanalei operations slowly, said Garcia, with scenic and snorkeling trips offered once or twice a day on one boat through the end of the season in October. The vessel, certified to hold 38 people, will average 25 to 30 passengers, including a captain and two crew members, Garcia said.

The second boat — and additional trips — will come as business picks up, she said — but for now a single boat will do.

That sounds like fun Auntie Maria. Thanks for sharing. :-)

I went on Captain Sundown which is a catamaran. How can I put this delicately? On an inflatable raft how are all "services" provided?

auntie,

I'm curious. Why now? What is different now for the state to allow motorized boats again?

-Bill

Here's the entire article -- including an answer to the "why now?" question:
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2...ews/news01.txt

Thanks auntie.
That's very interesting...and somewhat complex. It will be interesting to see what happens.

-Bill