Section 20-26-64 - Commercial tour activity permits(a) Commercial tour activity permits for conducting commercial tours or transporting passengers for hire within the UH management areas may be issued by the president.(b) Permits for commercial tours or passenger transportation for hire may be issued pursuant to subsection (c), and under such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the president to carry out the provisions of chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, this chapter, or any applicable federal, state, or county statute, ordinance, or rule.(c) Each permit application shall be evaluated on its own merits for compatibility with the functions and purpose of UH management areas; for consistency with existing approved management plans; for the potential effect on the surrounding resources, the existing facilities and infrastructure, and the public's use of the UH management areas; for compatibility with existing approved uses; for compatibility with scheduled or ongoing construction, repairs, or maintenance activities; and for the applicant's prior record of non-compliance with permit conditions, or of violations. In addition, each permit application shall also be evaluated for the quality of the educational aspects of the activity, the comprehensiveness of planned staff training, the inclusion of safety protocols, and the extent to which additional practices are incorporated to ensure customer and public safety and welfare and to protect the resources of the UH management areas. Additional information may be required from the applicant to make this evaluation. Failure to provide additional information when requested may be grounds for permit denial.(d) The president shall establish a number of available permits under this section. If qualified applications outnumber available permits, the permits shall be allocated by drawing or lottery.(e) The president may elect to manage commercial tour activities through issuance of one (1) or more concession agreements in lieu of, or in addition to, commercial tour activity permits. Any such concession agreements shall be consistent with these rules and applicable law.(f) The president may enter into an agreement with another public agency to manage commercial tour activities and transportation of passengers for hire within the UH management areas, on such terms and conditions deemed appropriate, which shall be consistent with these rules and applicable law. Such an agreement may be in lieu of, or in addition to, written permits or concession agreements for such purposes.(g) Fees shall be assessed in accordance with section 20-26-6 and additional terms and conditions necessary or appropriate to reduce congestion, protect the resources of the UH management areas and protect safety and welfare may be imposed, including but not limited to insurance and licensing requirements, and loading restrictions.(h) Commercial tour activity permits in force as of the effective date of these rules shall remain in effect through their stated expiration dates or such earlier termination date as may apply in accordance with their terms. Upon expiration, any future application shall be submitted in accordance with these rules. [Eff 1/23/2020] (Auth: HRS § 304A-1903) (Imp: HRS §§ 304A-103, 304A-105, 304A-1903)