Boat slip in Honolulu

[roba0823]

Hi, I’m Robert, resident in Honolulu, just started learning to sail. Enjoying advertisements of used boats, started to wonder how do people find permanent slip in Hawaii, as out of my search, I need to hand in fleet ownership document, insurance certificate etc.

Here’s a conflict. If I’m buying a boat, I don’t have those document yet. If I have those documents, it means I already have a boat which is perhaps docked somewhere…

Can anyone explain what I should do so I could be a sailing boat owner and the boat has a slip??

[Gudgeon]

You can sign up for a slip at the state small boat harbors with out any of that. You will need to select a size of slip that you desire.
You will find Hawaii is not boater friendly. It takes a long tinme to get a slip in most of the small boat harbors. There are not many liveaboard slips available.
There are three yacht clubs with slips and all have a wait list also. You must also be a member of the clubs. There is Ko Olina marina (private) I do not know what their current situation is. Then there is Keehi Marine and La Marina in Keehi Lagoon that have slips. Best bet is to call and check around.
Not that in most of the locations the slip does not transfer with the boat.

[SailingHarmonie]

The state run marinas in Hawaii have the WORST customer service of any marinas I have been in anywhere in the world. By a long shot. Dealing with them should cures anybody’s dreams of the possibility of a socialist utopia.

You might try one of the few private marinas and talk with them. They will at least make an effort to solve you problem. Near Honolulu, try Ko Olina

[Eder]

I heard Ko Olina was booting out all the boats.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Eder

I heard Ko Olina was booting out all the boats.

Source?

Ko Olina Marina, is full service 342-slip marina:
➥ https://www.koolinamarina.com/marina/boat-slips

“Yacht Life on Oahu – Where to Keep Your Boat?” ~ Hawai'i Life [2017]
➥ https://www.hawaiilife.com/blog/yach...ahu-keep-boat/

[Eder]

My bud just left it last season ...he said the open grassy area adjacent was going to be high end condos, building with the store ,office and dive shop is closed. Apparently the marina will be used to service the condo owners and some commercial ventures.


Too bad if true...I had my boat there 2 years and that joint is defiantly the best marina in Hawaii...(the locals still hate you though)

[Bowdrie]

Originally Posted by Gudgeon

You will find Hawaii is not boater friendly.

Originally Posted by Eder

(the locals still hate you though)

These seem to be prevailing views.

[Borlay]

The best advice I got when looking for a boat was to moor my new baby close to where I live. Easy access. Hopefully within 10 minutes or so of my home. So I could pop down there easily when I wanted to. Several times I popped down to my boat after work then had to go home to get something. A tool or something. The other possibility is to buy a share in a boat. One that’s already got a convenient slip. That way you can
Learn about sailing from others much easier. Join a club. Chat at the bar or coffee shop.

[roba0823]

Originally Posted by Gudgeon

You can sign up for a slip at the state small boat harbors with out any of that. You will need to select a size of slip that you desire.
You will find Hawaii is not boater friendly. It takes a long tinme to get a slip in most of the small boat harbors. There are not many liveaboard slips available.
There are three yacht clubs with slips and all have a wait list also. You must also be a member of the clubs. There is Ko Olina marina (private) I do not know what their current situation is. Then there is Keehi Marine and La Marina in Keehi Lagoon that have slips. Best bet is to call and check around.
Not that in most of the locations the slip does not transfer with the boat.

thank you for your info. I will call to see what they can offer!

[Pukakai]

Hi Robert,
I spent last August in the Ala Wai Boat Harbor coordinating the refit of a catamaran. The boat harbor is on the makai side of the Prince Waikiki and Ilikai hotels on Ala Moana Blvd. The catamaran was Med-moored to the “800-row” (the outer row of the boat harbor) as a temporary situation while the out-of-state, haole owner was applying for a permanent slip. The application process was horrendously bureaucratic, however, the ownership of the catamaran was attached to a corporation so that complicated exponentially. Seeing that you’re kamaina may ease the application process somewhat but I doubt, especially if you’re also a haole. I think your very best bet is to look for a boat with an existing slip or mooring (Kaneohi side). The harbormaster’s office is on site so stop in and explain your situation to him or his staff to start the process. Don’t be surprised if you have to return several times because you’re never told everything you need to know on the first visit. Smile, be pleasant, be humble, and don’t become outwardly frustrated or you’ll pay the bureaucratic price - again, especially if you’re a haole!

[roba0823]

Mahalo for your advice. Oh, no worry, i have been in hawaii long enough to learn that anyone needs to go back and forth till he gets everything right! That is a part of Hawaii life. I will do as you suggested and see what it is like!

Originally Posted by Pukakai

Hi Robert,
I spent last August in the Ala Wai Boat Harbor coordinating the refit of a catamaran. The boat harbor is on the makai side of the Prince Waikiki and Ilikai hotels on Ala Moana Blvd. The catamaran was Med-moored to the “800-row” (the outer row of the boat harbor) as a temporary situation while the out-of-state, haole owner was applying for a permanent slip. The application process was horrendously bureaucratic, however, the ownership of the catamaran was attached to a corporation so that complicated exponentially. Seeing that you’re kamaina may ease the application process somewhat but I doubt, especially if you’re also a haole. I think your very best bet is to look for a boat with an existing slip or mooring (Kaneohi side). The harbormaster’s office is on site so stop in and explain your situation to him or his staff to start the process. Don’t be surprised if you have to return several times because you’re never told everything you need to know on the first visit. Smile, be pleasant, be humble, and don’t become outwardly frustrated or you’ll pay the bureaucratic price - again, especially if you’re a haole!

[kapnd]

I would urge you to get on the waitlist for a slip asap, and do so at all state harbors on the island. Once you get a slip, at any harbor, take it. Then it’s easier to transfer to a harbor nearer you.
You can apply for a slip without owning a boat, and they’ll give you 90 days to occupy.