Safety & Compliance Policy
Safety is our top priority at Halia family-friendly private tours. From the moment we pick you up to the final photo stop, we follow strict local, state, and federal safety protocols designed to give you peace of mind, without sacrificing the fun.
family-friendly tour safety & compliance
Do we have specific safety standards?
We prioritize passenger safety by adhering to best practices and all relevant safety regulations. Our key safety measures include:
Regular Vehicle Inspections: We conduct frequent inspections to ensure our vehicles meet or exceed local and federal safety requirements. Our goal is to keep you safe during every ride.
Preventative Maintenance Schedule: We perform preventative maintenance on all vehicles every 3 months to maintain vehicle safety and reliability. This includes essential checks on brakes, tires, engine systems, and electrical components.
Trained Drivers: All of our drivers are trained in defensive driving, emergency response procedures, and customer care to ensure your safety and comfort.
Emergency Procedures: We have clear and tested emergency response procedures that our team follows to handle any situation that may arise during your tour or ride.
What local regulations do we have to follow?
Halia Tours and Transportation is committed to following all applicable laws and regulations, including specific restrictions for various attractions and activities on Oahu. Here are some important guidelines to note:
Beach Regulations:
- Stops at beaches are limited to 15 minutes without a permit.
- No beach stops are allowed on weekends or public holidays.
- Some beaches do not allow commercial vehicles or provide permits.
- If a permit is granted, stops are limited to 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- Swimming availability depends on safety conditions and local regulations.
Hiking Regulations:
- Na Ala Hele Trails System requires a permit for most hikes in advance.
- Waimea Valley and Manoa Valley hikes do not require a permit or advance approval.
- All other hikes must be approved in advance.
- Certain hikes, such as Stairway to Heaven, Lanikai Pillbox, and Makapu’u Lighthouse, are restricted for commercial use.
Commercial Restrictions:
- No commercial operations are allowed at certain popular locations, including Pipeline, Sunset Beach, Laniakea, Lanikai Kailua, and Waimanalo.
- Some locations, like Hanauma Bay, may require third-party transportation services.
Arizona Memorial Regulations:
- Arizona Memorial tickets must be reserved in advance.
- If you don’t have a reservation, standby tickets are available, but we recommend an early pickup time of 6 a.m.
- If staying outside Waikiki, the recommended pickup time will be 5:30 a.m.
- Walk-up tickets are no longer available at Pearl Harbor.
- If you need a specific ticket time, please Contact Us or visit recreation.gov.
Are there extra rules for commercial vehicles?
Halia Tours and Transportation follows all relevant FMCSA and USDOT regulations for passenger carriers. For our vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) under 10,000 lbs and fewer than 15 passengers, we comply with the following:
Driver Qualifications: All drivers meet FMCSA and USDOT standards, including the appropriate driver’s license type and necessary medical certifications.
Hours of Service: We ensure our drivers adhere to FMCSA regulations regarding hours of service to avoid fatigue and ensure safe travel.
Vehicle Maintenance: Our vehicles are maintained according to FMCSA and USDOT guidelines to ensure their safety and reliability.
Preventative Maintenance: In addition to regular inspections, we perform preventative maintenance every 3 months on all vehicles to ensure optimal safety.
Drug and Alcohol Testing: All drivers are subject to FMCSA-required drug and alcohol testing.
Accident Reporting and Record Keeping: We keep thorough records and comply with all FMCSA and USDOT accident reporting and maintenance record requirements.
What is the legal jurisdiction and liability?
Which steps do we take to minimize impact?
We care about preserving Hawaii’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Our family-friendly tours are designed to respect local environments and communities. There is a separate environmental impact policy, but in general we adhere to the following:
Respect for Local Regulations: All tours are planned to follow local environmental guidelines and commercial operation restrictions.
Sustainable Tourism Practices: We strive to minimize our environmental impact while promoting sustainable tourism and respect for Hawaiian culture.
Are you responsible for your own safety?
We take safety seriously and provide clear guidelines for our guests. Please follow these instructions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:
Water Activities:
- Swimming is allowed only at designated locations, based on safety conditions.
- Always follow the instructions of lifeguards or tour guides for your safety.
- Swimming may be canceled at any time if conditions change.
- Water activities have specific lifeguard-to-guest ratios:
- Swimming: No more than 10 guests to 1 lifeguard.
- Surfing: No more than 5 guests to 1 lifeguard.
- You must be physically capable of participating in water activities safely.
- Equipment and lessons are provided through third-party vendors, rented separately.
- Swimming is prohibited if sharks are sighted within two miles. If dangerous sharks are detected, we will leave the water immediately.
Health and Safety:
- Please inform us ahead of time if you have any health conditions or special needs.
- Only participate in activities that match your physical abilities.
- Bring any necessary medication with you, and notify us immediately if you are feeling unwell or have been injured.
- It’s important to inform us of any changes in your health or ability to participate in activities during the tour.
Do we have additional training?
The safety of our guests is our top priority. To provide the best care, we require all relevant staff members to be certified in essential safety training:
First Aid and CPR: All of our drivers and tour guides are certified in First Aid and CPR, enabling them to handle medical emergencies with confidence.
Lifeguard Certification: Staff involved in water-based activities are certified lifeguards, trained to manage water safety and respond effectively in emergencies.
Waterfront Safety Training: Our guides also complete Waterfront Safety Training to manage risks and respond appropriately to water-related incidents.
This training ensures our team is fully equipped to keep you safe in all situations, especially in high-risk areas such as water activities.
Is there anything you need to tell us?
Guests have a responsibility to notify us of any health conditions or physical limitations that may affect their participation in certain activities. This includes, but is not limited to, pre-existing medical conditions, injuries, or any change in health that could impact their ability to participate in physical activities.
- Failure to disclose a health condition or physical limitation may result in a refusal of service or cancellation of an activity.
- In the event of illness, injury, or any condition that arises during the tour, please notify us immediately so we can take appropriate action.
Are there ever any changes to this policy ?
We may update our Hawaii transportation service Safety Policy periodically to reflect changes in practices or legal requirements as well as any third party partners. Any updates will be posted on this page. We encourage you to review this policy regularly.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding our safety protocols, compliance measures, or the safety of our Hawaii private tours, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
How it all works
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Planning your family-friendly tours of Oahu
We are honored to be recognized as one of Hawaii’s most reliable and conscientious family-friendly tour providers. The strong commitment to and from our local community and visitors is an honor. We’ve compiled resources to help create a personalized private tour and transportation experience in Oahu, Hawaii.
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Featured private Tours
We take great joy in designing custom Hawaii private family-friendly tours and transportation to make every moment of your journey effortless and unforgettable. Here are a few unique options curated just for you and your loved ones.
Mini Circle Island
- See the North or South Shore
- 1 activity + 2/3 photo stops
- 6 hour custom private tour
Oahu Combo Tour
- Pearl Harbor w/ island tour
- 2-3 activities + 4-6 photo stops
- 12 hour custom private tour
Positive impact tour
- 1.5 hour positive impact
- 2-3 activities + 4-6 photo stops
- 12 hour custom private tour