The Coast Guard and state boating officials are enforcing stricter safety guidelines that could put canoe races farther from harbor entrances and away from spectators.

Some canoe racing organizers say they are unaware of any accidents involving canoes and boats, the reason for the crackdown. Government officials are dampening a traditional Hawaiian sport, organizers say.

“;To me it's a bad deal. That no make sense,”; said Nappy Napoleon, president of the Anuenue Canoe Club.

Napoleon said clubs have been canoe racing for decades in these areas, and recent restrictions have prevented a couple of high school races.

Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said the state has received no reports of accidents between boats and racing canoes, but that there have been complaints about close calls.

Officials say areas of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor, Keehi Small Boat Harbor and Maunalua Bay cannot be used safely for canoe races without certain controls.

State boating Administrator Edward Underwood said the new policy does not completely bar racing in the channels, but provides a guideline and an evaluation on a case-by-case basis.

“;We're not saying absolutely not, but we're saying there may be additional safety measures to put on the permit to ensure everybody's safe,”; Underwood said. “;Our main priority is safety.”;

He said, for instance, buoys could be placed by race organizers in the channel at the Ala Wai to allow racing canoes on the Magic Island side of the entrance and boats on the Diamond Head side.

Underwood said another alternative might be to temporarily close the harbor entrance for racing.

He said if that occurred, canoe racing organizers would have to pay $1,500 to hire state marine enforcement officers for a minimum of four hours to enforce the closure.

Canoe racing organizers said the events have finished in the channels at the Ala Wai for many years and enabled the public, including families of participants, to view the event from Magic Island.

Jeff Apaka, whose Waikiki Community Center organizes an annual canoe race, said adding more fees places more of a financial burden on the sport, in which many work as volunteers.

“;What do they want us to do? Lose the tradition of outrigger canoes?”; Apaka said. “;Why are they changing things around?”;

Jon Emerson, president of Kanaka Ikaika Racing Association, said the rules imposed by state and federal officials are making canoe racing a “;non-spectator”; sport where families are unable to watch participants competing in the ocean, and that the state has not been willing to work with canoe racing organizers.

“;They've shut down two of my races this year,”; he said.