Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources Fines Helicopter Dive Operator $10,000 for Unauthorized Activity in Protected Waters

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has fined Oʻahu-based helicopter tour and ocean activity company Trident Adventures LLC a total of $10,000 for conducting unauthorized commercial drop-offs for snorkeling and scuba diving in protected North Shore waters.

According to a DLNR enforcement report, the violations occurred on June 9 and June 19, 2025, when a helicopter branded with the company’s name was observed hovering approximately 10 feet above the water before customers entered the ocean near Shark’s Cove, Three Tables, and Waimea Bay.

Those areas fall within the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District and the North Shore Ocean Recreation Management Area, both of which require specific authorization for commercial ocean activities.

Two Incidents, Maximum Fine

The DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement documented the incidents separately, and the state’s Board of Land and Natural Resources treated each as an individual violation of Hawaii Administrative Rules.

Each offense carried a $5,000 penalty, resulting in the maximum total fine of $10,000.

State officials said that while Trident Adventures held a commercial use permit for certain waters off Oʻahu’s south and west shores, it did not have authorization to conduct commercial operations in the North Shore conservation district where the drop-offs occurred.

Low-Altitude Operations Raised Concerns

In its findings, DLNR noted that the helicopter hovered at low altitude over nearshore waters before customers entered the ocean. Officials indicated that such activity, particularly in a heavily used marine conservation area, raised concerns related to both public safety and regulatory compliance.

The North Shore sites involved are among Oʻahu’s most popular snorkeling and dive locations, attracting residents and visitors year-round. The Pūpūkea district in particular was established to protect fragile reef ecosystems and marine life from overuse and damage.

Enforcement Signals Increased Oversight

While helicopter-based ocean drop experiences are marketed as exclusive adventure products, the case underscores the state’s position that all commercial ocean activity within designated conservation districts requires explicit permitting.

The $10,000 fine sends a clear signal that enforcement extends beyond traditional boat-based tour operators and includes aerial-assisted ocean activities operating within regulated zones.

No further penalties were announced, and it is not yet clear whether the company intends to contest the fine or modify its operations.