Didn't cancel my trip given it was 10 years ago when all this happened, and after reading more into it it seemed like it was a regulatory problem at the time when all sorts of operators caused serious harm but nowadays there are places to tie the boat underwater and it's much better all-around. Unless of course a Maui local wants to correct me on this.

That said, at the time it was *very* scummy for Kai Kanani to negotiate their $0.5 million fine down to $150k with the state... Regardless, I would imagine all the boat operators nowadays are very concerned about the state of the reef and conservation in general. The real criminals are aquarium fish *collectors* that have wiped out reef fish all over the islands selling them for pennies on the dollar to the aquarium trade and the state government that's aiding and abetting them!