HONOLULU -- More changes are coming to the historic Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island.

In two weeks, the state will begin restricting the number of boaters who try to land at Kaawaloa, where the Captain Cook monument is located.

KITV4 first reported on a crackdown on illegal kayak vendors at the bay two months ago.

State and county officials seized more than a dozen kayaks, made several arrests and issued numerous citations.

The new rules and stricter enforcement are aimed at curbing what the state calls a carnival-like atmosphere. The new restrictions are effective Feb. 23.

"How much access is adequate to meet public demand, but how much is too much, where the thing we are protecting is at risk? And clearly at Kealakekua and Kaawaloa Flats, we have reached capacity and we have to bring it down," State Parks spokesman Curt Cottrell said.

The state plans to issue permits to limit the number of landings to 10 a day.

Among the biggest overuse problems is damage to the shoreline from kayaks being dragged on the rocks. Human waste is also a problem because there are no bathroom facilities at the site.

Anyone cited for landing without a permit faces a fine of $30 to $100 and risks having equipment seized.