The Associated Press is reporting that Hawaii officials have revoked a permit for a kayak tour company that led a group of teens when one from New York was swept out to sea on the Big Island.
The permit was revoked Friday. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources had recommended the revocation after three violations on July 4, when 15-year-old Tyler Madoff was swept away by large waves. His body was never found, and he is presumed dead.
The family of the teen from White Plains, N.Y., filed a lawsuit, claiming tour guides were negligent.
According to the Associated Press, Curt Cottrell, assistant state parks administrator, said that even before Madoff's disappearance highlighted the issue, the state had been considering denying all kayak permits after they expire at the end of December as officials consider ways to better regulate commercial activity in the area.
Cottrell said unlicensed boat rentals by companies that don't have permits have been common and are hurting natural resources. A ban would affect thousands of tourists yearly who go on guided kayak tours with one of four local companies, and potentially those going out with their own plastic boats.
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