MAUI RULES

Important Safety Video To Watch

FAA KITEBOARDING RULES

These rules comprise the terms under which the FAA permits kiteboarding within 5 miles of Kahului Airport.

  • All kitesurfing participants must be responsible for seeing and avoiding aircraft.

  • No kiteboarding in the 2 nautical mile long by one nautical mile wide corridor. The corridor’s length starts at the end of the OGG airport runway. The corridor’s width is comprised of one half a nautical mile on each side of the runway, from the runway’s end to sea. Please refer to the Map below.

  • The waiver is applicable and only valid between the hours of official sunrise and sunset

  • All kiteboarders shall be responsible for seeing and avoiding non-participants

  • The rope or attaching cables must not exceed 125 feet in length and no kite shall be operated more than 125 feet above sea level.

  • Kiteboarding safety meetings will be conducted within every 12 month period

HO’OKIPA RULES

These common-sense rules will keep us all safer and create a better rapport with windsurfers and surfers. Be aware of the potential dangers at Ho‘okipa! The wave is powerful, the lineup is small, and the rocks are close.

    • Board leashes are recommended

    • A downed kite will present a danger to those on the inside, so keep kite in control

    • CHECK IN WITH THE LIFEGUARDS BEFORE KITING HO‘OKIPA ! The lifeguards want to know everyone who kites here and want to share their safety concerns

    • Surfers always have right-of-way. Stay at least one kite length away from surfers, and off any wave they catch

    • Windsurfers and kiters have equal priority when catching waves. The rider who catches the wave first has right-of-way. If a wave is caught simultaneously, the upwind rider has right-of-way

    • Sharing a wave is common in both windsurfing and kiting, IF BOTH RIDERS AGREE. However, because of a kiter’s lines, it is recommended that the kiter surf downwind of the windsurfer

    • Be aware that windsurfers do not catch as many waves in light and fluky conditions, so show some aloha and give them the waves they can catch

    • If a lifeguard sounds one blast during your transition it is a warning: you did something unsafe. Two blasts means you must leave. Talk to the lifeguards later and ask them to explain their concerns. Three blasts means all kiters must leave. A siren means keep the channel clear, so lifeguards can launch their rescue craft

    • CONSIDER YOUR ABILITIES BEFORE KITING HO‘OKIPA. If you are not experienced in extreme conditions do not ride Ho‘okipa and chance endangering someone else or yourself. Remember, you are kiting with some of the best windsurfers and kiters in the world. Please show them and the lifeguards the respect they deserve and we will all have a great time

    • Finally, Ho‘okipa means hospitality and our ability to kite there depends on mutual respect of all ocean users

SAFETY, RULES, & GUIDELINES

Safe Riding Guidelines

  • Take lessons from a certified school

  • Know right of way rules for sailing

  • No Riding before 11 AM

  • Keep 300 feet from Humpback Whales

  • Observe mapped kiteboarding boundaries

  • Select a safe launch

  • Carefully check the weather and wind

  • Don’t fly in offshore or onshore winds

  • Check all equipment before launching

  • Check lines for knots, wear, and twists

  • Always use a kite leash

  • Wear a helment if using a board leash

  • Don’t launch or land in crowded areas

  • Stay clear of power lines, trees, and roads

  • Don’t fly near or over people

  • Maintain a 2 line length downwind buffer

  • Keep downwind of canoe paddlers

  • Keep downwind of windsurfers

  • Assist fellow riders with launching/landing

  • Disable unattended kites

  • Call 911 in an emergency

Rules of the Road

Responsible Kiteboarders know the right of way rules, and always ride with courtesy and respect. Kiteboarding rules help to avoid collisions with other water users and other kiteboarders.

  • Always use a kite leash

  • Never launch or fly you kite over a non-kiteboarder

  • Incoming Kiter gives way to the Kiter who is launching

  • The kiter with the right hand forward (starboard tack) has right of way

  • The upwind kites gives way to the downwind kiter

  • The overtaking kiter gives way to the slower kiter

  • Look before you turn or jump

  • The outgoing kiter gives way to the kiter on the wave

  • Avoid collisions at all costs

  • Stay clear of beginner kiters

  • Do not jump close to shore

  • Give way to swimmers and surfers

  • Give way to Fishermen and Canoes

Remember: Your conduct is representative of all kiteboarders, Please always ride with respect and tolerance. Kiting on the north shore is a privilege, do not take it for granted. Always follow the directives of the lifeguards, and stay in the designated kiteboarding areas.

Kite Safety Guidelines

  • Always kite with a buddy

  • Never launch in strong onshore winds

  • Do not kite in Offshore winds

  • Never kite further from shore than you can swim

  • Carry a safety cutter knife

  • Do not use a board leash

  • Never jump over obstacles or people

  • Do not kite after dark

  • Tell someone where you are kiting and what time you will come back

  • Help out other kiters in need

  • Respect other water users

  • Respect the right of way rules

  • Kite with respect for others and you will get respect

You are also responsible for any damage and injury caused by you and your equipment to other persons or property. You are under the legal obligation to follow the kiteboarding right of way rules & guidelines which include FAA directives which are under federal law, and to always kiteboard safely. In addition to special state and federal laws particular to the marine environment, you are also subject to all the same laws that apply on land too. The lifeguards, DLNR officers, State Police, Park Rangers and County Police have the authority to give citations, fines, or confiscate your equipment and even arrest you, for any illegal action, infraction or misdemeanor. Always follow the directives of the lifeguards, and stay in the designated kiteboarding areas.

SAFETY, RULES, & GUIDELINES

Safe Riding Guidelines

  • Take lessons from a certified school

  • Know right of way rules for sailing

  • No Riding before 11 AM

  • Keep 300 feet from Humpback Whales

  • Observe mapped kiteboarding boundaries

  • Select a safe launch

  • Carefully check the weather and wind

  • Don’t fly in offshore or onshore winds

  • Check all equipment before launching

  • Check lines for knots, wear, and twists

  • Always use a kite leash

  • Wear a helment if using a board leash

  • Don’t launch or land in crowded areas

  • Stay clear of power lines, trees, and roads

  • Don’t fly near or over people

  • Maintain a 2 line length downwind buffer

  • Keep downwind of canoe paddlers

  • Keep downwind of windsurfers

  • Assist fellow riders with launching/landing

  • Disable unattended kites

  • Call 911 in an emergency

Rules of the Road

Responsible Kiteboarders know the right of way rules, and always ride with courtesy and respect. Kiteboarding rules help to avoid collisions with other water users and other kiteboarders.

  • Always use a kite leash

  • Never launch or fly you kite over a non-kiteboarder

  • Incoming Kiter gives way to the Kiter who is launching

  • The kiter with the right hand forward (starboard tack) has right of way

  • The upwind kites gives way to the downwind kiter

  • The overtaking kiter gives way to the slower kiter

  • Look before you turn or jump

  • The outgoing kiter gives way to the kiter on the wave

  • Avoid collisions at all costs

  • Stay clear of beginner kiters

  • Do not jump close to shore

  • Give way to swimmers and surfers

  • Give way to Fishermen and Canoes

Remember: Your conduct is representative of all kiteboarders, Please always ride with respect and tolerance. Kiting on the north shore is a privilege, do not take it for granted. Always follow the directives of the lifeguards, and stay in the designated kiteboarding areas.

Kite Safety Guidelines

  • Always kite with a buddy

  • Never launch in strong onshore winds

  • Do not kite in Offshore winds

  • Never kite further from shore than you can swim

  • Carry a safety cutter knife

  • Do not use a board leash

  • Never jump over obstacles or people

  • Do not kite after dark

  • Tell someone where you are kiting and what time you will come back

  • Help out other kiters in need

  • Respect other water users

  • Respect the right of way rules

  • Kite with respect for others and you will get respect

You are also responsible for any damage and injury caused by you and your equipment to other persons or property. You are under the legal obligation to follow the kiteboarding right of way rules & guidelines which include FAA directives which are under federal law, and to always kiteboard safely. In addition to special state and federal laws particular to the marine environment, you are also subject to all the same laws that apply on land too. The lifeguards, DLNR officers, State Police, Park Rangers and County Police have the authority to give citations, fines, or confiscate your equipment and even arrest you, for any illegal action, infraction or misdemeanor. Always follow the directives of the lifeguards, and stay in the designated kiteboarding areas.

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