Visa Waiver Q- SD to Japan via Hawaii

[Ferroever]

Hi!
I'm British. Plan on flying into SD on the visa waiver program, then sailing out on a private yacht, to Japan, with a stop in Hawaii to re-provision.
I am unclear about the immigration rules.
I understand that if arriving in the US by private yacht you need to get a full-on visa. However, you can leave the US on the visa waiver program, as long as you exit the US within 90 days.
My question is, would my arrival in Hawaii be deemed as a new entry into the US or can it be done on the visa waiver?
If going direct from SD to HI, is it seen as having left the US?
I need this information urgently as have got the chance for this Pacific crossing, would love to do it, but do not want to have problems regarding immigration once we arrive in HI, albeit our stop is going to be a short one, of a few days, at most.

[Fortytwo]

US Department of Homeland Security
Service Port - Honolulu

Vessel Entry and Clearance
(808) 522-8012
Fax: (808) 522-8005
7:00 AM-4:00 PM(Hawaii)
Weekdays (Monday-Friday)

Service Port - Honolulu

[atoll]

you might get away with it if you have valid return air tickets in sd,but since their is a $10,000 fine possibly on arrival in hawaii if your esta is not accepted you may want to contact the us border agency,rather than hearsay on the internet

might want to look at this thread
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...elp-83629.html

[Geoff54]

Looked into a similar situation to stop of in U.S. Virgin Islands with my mother who has a U.K. passport. Yes, your arrival in Hawaii will be deemed as a new entry into the US and as you are not arriving by common carrier, you will need a visa.

[atoll]

lots of conflicting info on this subject you might want to read this as well,two of the posters recently sailed into mainland usa on esta visas,with prior visits by air,but personally untill this is in black and white by the border agency ,not sure if it is worth the risk of a fine and png status


http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...usa-98127.html