Photo: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
Hawaii’s Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) fined Navy Seal-owned Trident Adventures $10,000 for “unauthorized commercial activities” that took place over Shark’s Cove, Three Tables, and Waimea Bay in June 2025. The incidents in question involved the company dropping scuba divers and snorkelers into the North Shore waters via helicopter on June 9 and 19, with the BLNR imposing a maximum fine of $5,000 for both instances.
State officials say a conservation officer saw four people jumping in the water from low-hovering helicopters on June 9. The same thing was then documented on June 19, with the BLNR providing several photos of the activity over Shark’s Cove.
Photo: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources
The Navy Seal-owned Trident Adventures provides unique experiences for divers and snorkelers, including courses for veterans, tactical training, and helicopter-to-water jumps similar to the North Shore incidents. According to the BLNR, the Honolulu-based company holds a commercial use permit for operation on the South and West shores of Oahu, but their commercial use permits do not authorize them for commercial activity on the North Shore.
Three Tables, Shark’s Cove, and Waimea Bay are all part of the Pūpūkea Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD), making them marine protected areas. Shark’s Cove and Three Tables were given the designation in 1983 as part of the establishment of the Pupukea MLCD. It was expanded in 2002 to cover more than 100 acres, which included Waimea Bay. While the areas are popular tourist spots for snorkeling and diving, taking any form of marine life (fishing), sand, or coral is prohibited within the MLCD.
