American Safari Cruises' first trip to Kaunakakai in November 2011 was met with protests.

Protesters were so angry that they hadn't been consulted, so they hopped into the water and blocked the ship!

Tensions continued to run high in January 2012 as the Explorer pulled into port.  There were Coast Guard and state law enforcement officers on the water and county police and state sheriffs on shore.

It was a far different sight on Wednesday as representatives from the state, American Safari Cruises and the Molokai community signed an historic "Molokai Community Agreement" outlining visits to Molokai.

"It is an outcome of community sitting down with business talking openly and honestly about each other's needs," said William Aila, Department of Land and Natural Resources chairman.

"Now this agreement is for Molokai only.  As you know Molokai is a very special community and we hope is the building block for what we hope is best management practicies for tourism on Molokai," said Dan Blanchard, owner of American Safari Cruises.

Under the agreement, American Safari Cruises agrees to make only one visit per week with a maximum of 36 passengers on any trip.

The company will help to create an orientation video on Molokai that the passengers will view before arrival.

The tours will not visit the wahipana, or sacred places, on the island.

And the passengers will only utilize tours and activities run by business owned by Molokai residents.