The Associated press
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s tourism industry could be changed by a proposal discussed Tuesday that requires more strict inspections of zip lines, which allow riders strapped to a harness and a cable to glide above forest canopies.
The bill was prompted by a fatal accident last fall that left one man dead and another critically injured when a cable snapped, causing a rider to fall 200 feet.
The measure, sponsored by a group of Senate Democrats and heard by committees in each chamber, would require the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to conduct $100 inspections. But many in the industry question whether the proposal goes far enough.
“A fee of $100 is incredibly unrealistic at the majority of courses and may set a bad precedent,” said Jeff Baldwin, operator of Piiholo Zipline.
Baldwin, who is in favor of the measure, said inspections generally cost $5,000 and stretch across multiple days. He said he’s concerned the Labor Department “may be biting off more than they can chew.”
The Labor Department opposed the measure as it was written, suggesting an audit might be more appropriate.
The Associated press