Hawaii Beach Wedding Permit Information:
We have the most magnificent beaches in Hawaii. Each one offers something special and unique from the others. It is important to KNOW these beaches, their pros and cons, their accessibility, their crowd times, if you can see sunset from there, and more. Your wedding at one of these beaches can be unebelievably magical if you hire the right professional, and that is not always the person with the best website or cheapest price. That is why hiring a professional to assist with your beach wedding planning in Hawaii is essential. Another essential part of your beach wedding planning is your wedding permit. These permits are absolutely required to have your weddings on the beaches here in Hawaii, and anyone who tells you differently is putting your wedding at risk. If you or your professionals do not follow the permit rules, you risk a $10,000 fine that I am sure your professional will pass on to you. So choose your wedding professionals wisely. Your wedding is considered a commercial activity, so you will need to know the rules that apply to all commercial beach activities.
This information is provided by http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ld/commercial-activities/
COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
Wiki Permits for Commercial Activities / Beach Weddings
This process is to be followed by persons/companies desiring a right-of-entry permit for a beach wedding or other commercial activity onunencumbered State lands only. Please note that a few beaches in the State are managed by other government agencies, e.g. the counties. Applicants are advised to seek authorization for use of those beaches from the appropriate government agency managing those areas.
Persons new to Wiki Permits are asked to first read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for an overview of the process and the questions most frequently asked. Should you still have questions after reading the FAQs, please call our Honolulu office at 808-587-0439.
1. Is your requested beach listed in our Wiki Permit Beach Locations? If so, go to step 2. Otherwise, please call our office at 808-587-0439.
2. Are you already registered to use the Wiki Permits Online Permitting System?
Yes: Go to the Wiki Permits Online Permitting System to apply for a permit. Please read the instructions and the terms and conditions before completing the application and printing out your permit.
No: Fill out an application for access to the Wiki Permits Online Permitting System (Note: this form cannot be submitted electronically at this time). Please read the instructions and fill out the form completely, print it, attach the certificate of insurance, and mail them to:
Department of Land and Natural Resources Land Division, Support Branch 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 220 Honolulu, HI 96813
Alternatively, these forms may also be emailed to dlnr.wiki.permits@hawaii.gov or faxed to (808)312-6357.
For the BASICS of your WIKI BEACH PERMIT, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ld/files/2013/07/Wiki-Permits-FAQs.pdf
Some key points of this permit are the following:
*In order to get set up to obtain a permit from Wiki Permits, you must first forward two things: (1) The Wiki Permits application which provides your contact information, and (2) a Certificate of Insurance of current liability insurance of at least $300,00 per incident and $500,000 aggregate naming the State of Hawaii as an additional insured. *The cost is ten cents per square foot, twenty dollars minimum. It is not free. *Time limit of permit: The maximum length of any permit is 2 hours, including the required set up and breakdown. *The average number of participants for the permits events is 9 and not more than 25. If you exceed 25, call (808)587-0439 or (808) 587-0417 to discuss your plans PRIOR to your application submission. *You do not get a specific area for your event and can claim any open area. *You may NOT ask any member of the public to move or relocated to accommodate your event. *For beaches in front of county parks, the general rule is that the sandy beach in front of the county park grass area still belongs to the state, so you will need a permit if you plan on going on the beach for your wedding, wedding photos, etc. *There are beaches listed at this link that restrict ANY entry or require county permits instead, and they are to be obtained well in advance. Please check list link for any beach restrictions. *Since your permit is for an area within the public shoreline, you cannot ensure privacy for your event. At a minimum, the public will be able to access the same shoreline area. And, there is always a possibility that another event will obtain a permit for the same site, same time as your event. *Penalties: Any person conducting an unauthorized activity on public lands is subject to a civil penalty of up to $5000 for the first violation, up to $10,000 for the second violation recurring within five years of the last violation, and up to $20,000 for a third or subsequent violation occurring within five years of the last violation
OKAY, SO WHAT ARE THE ACTUAL RULES? Here you go… https://dlnr.ehawaii.gov/permits/terms.html
Unencumbered Land, State Public Beaches General Terms and Conditions for Commercial Activity
The set-up, event, and restoration of the right-of-entry area or premises shall be limited to the date(s) and time(s) provided by the Applicant in the application, which in no event shall exceed two hours.
The right-of-entry permit is subject to the payment of a non-refundable fee based on 10¢ per square foot per event per day, and further subject to a minimum fee of $20.00 per event.
Applicant shall procure at Applicant’s own expense, and maintain during the entire period of the right-of-entry permit, from an insurance company or companies licensed to do business in the State of Hawaii, a policy or policies of comprehensive public liability insurance in an amount of at least $300,000 per incident and $500,000 aggregate insuring the State of Hawaii against all claims for personal injury, death, and property damage; that said policy shall cover the entire right-of-entry area or premises, including all improvements and grounds and all roadways or sidewalks on or adjacent to the said right-of-entry area or premises in the control or use by Applicant. Applicant shall furnish the Department of Land and Natural Resources (the “Department”) with a certificate(s) showing the policy(s) to be initially in force and naming the State of Hawaii as additional insured and keep said certificate(s) on deposit during the entire period. The procuring of this policy shall not release or relieve Applicant of its responsibility under this right-of-entry permit as set forth herein or limit the amount of its liability under this right-of-entry.
Applicant shall indemnify, defend, and hold the State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources harmless from and against any claim or demand for loss, liability, or damage, including claims for bodily injury, wrongful death, or property damage, arising out of or resulting from: (a) any act or omission on the part of Applicant relating to Applicant’s use, occupancy, maintenance, or enjoyment of the right-of-entry area or premises; (b) any failure on the part of Applicant to maintain the right-of-entry area or premises and areas adjacent thereto in Applicant’s use and control, and including any accident, fire or nuisance growing out of or caused by any failure on the part of Applicant to maintain the area or premises in a safe condition; and (c) from and against all actions, suits, damages, and claims by whomsoever brought or made by reason of Applicant’s non-observance or non-performance of any of the terms, covenants, and conditions of this right-of-entry or the rules, regulations, ordinances, and laws of the federal, state, municipal or county governments.
At all times herein, Applicant shall keep the right-of-entry area or premises in a strictly clean, sanitary and orderly condition.
Applicant shall be responsible for cleaning and restoring the right-of-entry area or premises to its original condition or a condition satisfactory to the Department upon completion of each day’s event or activity. All trash shall be removed from the right-of-entry area or premises. If the Department finds that the Applicant has failed to clean and restore the right-of-entry area or premises to the Department’s satisfaction, Applicant agrees to and shall reimburse the Department for all costs and expenses associated with cleaning and restoring the area or premises to its original condition.
Applicant shall comply with all of the requirements of all federal, state, and municipal, authorities and observe all federal, state, and municipal laws applicable to the right-of-entry area or premises now in force or which may be in force.
NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES SHALL BE SERVED OR PERMITTED IN THE RIGHT-OF-ENTRY AREA OR PREMISES.
Applicant shall not permit commercial solicitation including the sale of any item or advertising of commercial products to be conducted in conjunction with the permitted activity (no banners, handouts, flyers, posters, etc.).
Applicant shall be responsible for providing any security deemed necessary or appropriate for the right-of-entry area or premises during the requested event or activity.
Applicant shall supply to Land Division a name and local telephone number of a contact person who will be available at all times during the scheduled event.
No person shall drive a motor vehicle on the right-of-entry area or premises.
Applicant in the exercise of the right-of-entry permit shall use appropriate precautions and measures to minimize inconveniences to surrounding residents, landowners, and the public in general. Applicant shall not engage in any activity that may obstruct, impede, or interfere with the public use of the surrounding area or any public access to the area.
No accessories, structures, devices, amplified instruments, appliances, apparatus or equipment of any type whatsoever shall be placed on or within the right-of-entry area or premises, including but not limited to the following:
arches;
bowers;
altars;
tables;
chairs;
kahilis;
tents and or tarps;
event signage of any type including banners, sandwich boards;
kiosks or carts;
stanchions, posts, ropes or similar equipment for the purpose of demarcation of the right-of-entry area; and
surfboards, windsurf boards, kayaks or other ocean recreation equipment;
with the exception of the following:
loose flowers, leis, bouquets, corsages or boutonnieres;
unamplified musical instruments, including a conch shell;
doves or butterflies for releases;
a limited number of chairs as strictly necessary for the support of elderly, infirm, or disabled persons attending the event(s);
cameras and camera equipment;
other non-obtrusive hand-carried wedding accessories;
small podium or cake stand, not to exceed three feet square in size; and
ocean vessels/equipment used exclusively for the purpose of scattering ashes during authorized funeral services.
In the event any historic properties or burial sites, as defined in section 6E-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, are found on the right-of-entry area or premises, Applicant shall immediately stop all premises utilization or work or both and contact the State Historic Preservation Division in Kapolei at (808) 692-8015 in compliance with Chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
Best management practices shall be employed to avoid having silt or dirt enter the ocean.
All disputes or questions arising under this right-of-entry shall be referred to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources for a determination and resolution of the dispute or question. The Chairperson’s decision shall be final and binding on the parties herein.
The right-of-entry permit is subject to Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 13, Sub-title 10, Chapter 221, Unencumbered Public Lands, as amended. Rules are available for review at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ld/rules/. Applicant is required to familiarize himself with these rules. Applicant acknowledges that he has read, understands, and agrees to abide by these rules.
The right-of-entry permit or any rights hereunder shall not be sold, assigned, conveyed, leased, let, mortgaged or otherwise transferred or disposed.
All representatives of any commercial operator or service provider at the site must carry a copy of this permit with them and make it available for inspection at all times during the event(s). Failure of any operator or provider to carry this permit and make it available for inspection upon request by any DLNR official or enforcement officer shall constitute a violation under this permit.
The applicant as the responsible party shall ensure that all terms and conditions of the permit are adhered to and met. In most cases, the applicant will be a wedding coordinator or professional. All other professionals that may be associated with the event, such as a videographer, photographer, a minister, etc., shall be required to and by possessing a copy of this document do hereby agree to also abide by the terms and conditions of this permit and shall carry a copy of this permit on their person at all times during the event.
Violations of one or more permit conditions may result in administrative action, imposition of fine(s), and the rejection of future right-of-entry applications.
Applicant shall comply with other written conditions, which may be imposed by the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.