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Just in: News release from Surfrider Maui Chapter! We talked to them by phone earlier, and what a day! In pouring rain, surfers, paddlers, and fishers braved the weather and waved signs reading: Maui Not For Sale; Save the Waves in Kahului Bay; Paddling not Passengers; Save Paddling for Our Keiki.

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION MAUI CHAPTER
MEDIA RELEASE
GROUND HOG DAY STATEWIDE RALLY FOR BEACH ACCESS

The Maui event of the Ground Hog Day Statewide Rally for Beach Access took place along Kaahumanu Avenue in the pouring rain in front of Hoaloha Park. It was one of a dozen rallies held statewide today to raise awareness about the public’s eroding access to beaches in Hawaii.

“The statewide rallies were held on Ground Hog Day to signify that we may stick our heads back into the burrow once too often, said Jan Roberson, Surfrider Maui Chapter Chair. “Until the sad day when only a shadow remains of the places our families once paddled, surfed and fished.”

Despite heavy rain showers, the Kahului event drew a flock of fishers, surfers and paddlers, about 25 at a time, who waved signs that read: Maui Not For Sale; Save the Waves in Kahului Bay; Paddling not Passengers; Save Paddling for Our Keiki.

Leona Nomura, proprietor of Kuau Store, and members of her ‘ohana held an inverted Hawai’i State flag to demonstrate disagreement with the state’s 2030 Kahului Harbor Master Plan, which calls for dredging coral, destroying several surf sites, and taking away canoe racing lanes.

“The state’s plan will displace youth and family residents to accommodate visitors arriving aboard the high-speed Superferry and high-polluting cruise ships,” said Jan Roberson, Surfrider Foundation Maui Chair. “Should the taxpayers foot the bill for private industry?”

“A good plan would not kick the kids out in favor of passenger vessels,” said Roberson. “That’s why the state must prioritize the cultural and recreational needs of the people over visitor industry economics.

Maui event co-sponsors included Surfrider Foundation, Maui Chapter; Save Kahului Harbor; Hawaii Wildlife Fund; and Hui Hee Nalu O Maui.

Way to go to everyone who braved the weather out in Kailua!!!

Email update from Rich of Beach Access Hawaii:

The Advertiser reporter said he was “amazed” at the turnout considering the weather! We had 40 at one end, about 30 at another spot, 15 at an unplanned location, and another 20 or more at the far end, with lots of cars honking in support and residents coming out to greet us. And the sun came out for our post-rally potluck picnic!

Thanks for sending pictures from East Oahu and the trolley ride! Can’t wait to see pix from North Shore, Bowls, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island… Mahalo to everyone for their hard work and efforts today. You guys are da best!

Exhausted,
Rich

P.S. We had guys on mopeds and bikes riding up and down Kalaheo Ave. with signs too, and one guy made special “No Private Beaches” and “No More Gates” silkscreened t-shirts.

Aloha All,

It was a little rainy, but we had a great time anyway! At Niu Valley, we
had Jimmy Pflueger stop by and say he supported us. We had a family from Pālolo and someone all the way from Salt Lake show up to sign wave. But the best was Dr. Flowers stopping to give US candy (he’s the private citizen who gave us our only rights-of-way on our 6 mile shoreline in East Honolulu at Paikō). Hope to see you all on the news tonight! Great work everyone. I’m going to take a nap. (Sign waving is hard work!

) Mahalo,

Jeannine

Kona Stands Up For Access to Ahe‘ena Heiau!!

We just got a call from folks at Kulana Huli Honua: More than 30 people came out to educate visitors and residents at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel at their Beach Access Rally on the Big Island. They passed out flyers, spoke with visitors, and carried signs in support of cultural access rights to Ahu‘ena Heiau.

Ahu‘ena Heiau is located at Kamakahonu Bay and is the site of the first capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom. It is the personal heiau of Kamehameha the Great, who rededicated it to Lono. Today, the corporation that purchased the hotel surrounding this heiau is claiming they own the heiau.

The rally was organized by members of Kulana Huli Honua, non-profit organization founded by the late David Kahelemauna Roy, Jr., Kahu and Restorer of Ahu’ena Heiau and presently led by Roy’s daughter, Mikahala Roy. Also at the rally were Nita Pilago, wife of County Councilmember Angel Pilago (of the famous PASH case) and many friends and families connected with the Na Kokua Kaloko Honokohau, Ke Akua Hawaii Ko Aloha, Pele Defense and others such as Kanaka Council.

Kulana Huli Honua formed as a 501-C3 in 1999 and has been at their work of providing for the life and care of Ahu’ena Heiau, Kamakahonu as they advocate for the care of sacred sites throughout the Hawaiian Islands. The Roy ‘ohana has supported the work of David Roy since the initial restoration which serves to inspire all similar work in Hawaii.

Mahalo to all who came out! And thanks to Jeff Cho for the pictures!

United on the North Shore!!

40 people came out in the pouring rain on the North Shore today. They expressed their gratitude at the Governor’s offer to preserve Turtle Bay from future development. They also reiterated their long-standing call to Keep the Country, Country!!

The concerned residents, surfers, students, and families stood out in the rain along Kamehameha Hwy. in front of Turtle Bay to demonstrate that there is only one public access route for the entire 5-mile stretch of hotel property. And often the parking at this public access route is packed, forcing others who would like to go beach to pay the hotel for parking.
But the sun is out now and they are all gathered at Sunset Beach Elementary School, right across from Ehukai Beach Park to celebrate and hang out. It’s a potluck party to protect public access!! Please join them – they will be there till 4:00 or so.

KAILUA SAYS: NO MORE GATES!!

Hundreds showed up for rallies all along N. Kalaheo Ave. this morning to demonstrate just how hard it is to get to the beach these days. For that entire stretch of road, there is only one access route! The many other roads and pathways are blocked by locked gates or unwelcoming “no trespass” signs.

To learn more about the beach access issues specific to Kailua, go to www.BeachAccessHawaii.org

From Wailupe Circle to Paiko St. to the Portlock Gate, concerned residents are out on the street today to raise awareness about the lack of public rights-of-way to the beach.

Paiko St. is a perfect example. It is home to the alone public access route between Kawaikui Park and Kuliouou Beach Park. This access route was graciously donated by Dr. Flowers, who also came out today to express his support for the community’s efforts.

For the number of residents living along Maunalua Bay, there needs to be more officially public access routes… otherwise people will start to make their own, which is a risk to public safety and creates ill-will with beach-front property owners.

A better balance is possible!! To learn more, visit the Hawaii Kai Hui at www.LivableHawaiiKai.org. Information also available at www.surfrider.org/oahu, and KAHEA at www.kahea.org.