Fear Not - The Hawaii Beach Permit!

There has been much speculation and concern over afor an individual to obtain, because it requires that
newly enforced Hawaii Sate Rule requiring that awhoever is applying for the permit to carry insurance
beach wedding conducted anywhere in the statefor over $300,000.00 and have the State of Hawaii
must have a permit. It's true that a "Right of Entry"named as an insurer. Most individuals do not meet this
permit must be obtained from the State Departmentrequirement, but they don't need to, because their
of Land and Natural Resources for any commercialwedding planner will make all the arrangements for
activity to be conducted on State lands. State landsthem.
include all beaches "below the high water mark." TheWe have heard from people who were worried,
purpose of this article is to tell you that although itbecause they did not know how to get a permit and
may seem like a daunting task for you to have towere concerned that it would be expensive. The
deal with this permit thing, it's really no big deal.good news is that it's not expensive and your
For one thing, many brides and grooms don't carewedding company should be able to obtain the permit
whether their ceremony is in the sand or just abovefor you, at a nominal cost. You can compare how
or next to it on the lawn or bluff, so long as beachmuch the wedding companies you are considering are
pictures could be taken after the ceremony. If youcharging to process the permit. But, of course, you'll
are one of these, then you will not need to worryalso have to weigh that cost with all the other costs
about a permit at all, as these areas are above theinvolved. Always ask for the "final cost," for
high water mark. Picture taking on the beach doeseverything, including the permit, to see which
not require a DLNR permit.wedding company will have the lowest price. If you
If you DO wish to have your ceremony in the sand,are paying over $60 for your permit, then you are
then you will need a permit. The permit is not easyprobably being charged too much for the processing.