Kahala group seeks to resolve dog issue
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Bureau
KAHALA — Loose dogs are stirring up trouble on Kahala Beach. In response, a group of residents — dog lovers and beach lovers — have joined together to find common ground on the problem.
Although community members have been discussing the situation at monthly neighborhood board meetings since October, the group has now been charged with working out a recommended solution, said Linda Letta, Wai'alae-Kahala Neighborhood Board chairwoman.
Clark Hatch, who volunteered to form the group, said he hoped to have something to report to the board at its next meeting April 19.
"I think it's a people problem," Hatch said. "Some (dog owners) are irresponsible, and this is irritating a lot of people. We have to find them and talk to them about shaping up."
Residents have complained about dogs running loose on the beach, jumping up on children and adults and scaring them while owners ignore the offenses. Others complain about owners not cleaning up after the dogs on the beach.
"I think one or two people can ruin it for everyone," said Anne Shigeta, who takes her dog to Kahala Beach every Sunday. "A task force would educate dog owners. We'll self-police."
A sign at the entrance to Kahala beach at Hunakai Street prohibits dogs from entering the beach, leashed or otherwise. Members of the Kahala Community Association have called the police many times, with no response, to enforce the leash law. The association wants the police to enforce the restriction.
Kahala is one of the few beaches on O'ahu where dogs are allowed on the sand, although they must be on a leash. Kailua and Lanikai beaches also allow dogs on leashes. The rest of the beaches on O'ahu do not allow dogs.
Hatch plans to put together a flier to hand out to dog owners on how to be a good neighbor.
Several years ago, in Kailua, some of the same problems and issues arose. "We have to be insistent that dog owners are responsible," said Eve Anderson, who has been actively involved in the issue on the Windward side. "We need to walk to the beaches and tell dog owners what their responsibilities are."
Anderson opposes banning dogs from the beach, but said owners must be responsible for their dogs and keep them on a leash.
A recent legal opinion by the city says leashed dogs may be walked through beach parks (where dogs are prohibited) to get to a beach where leashed dogs are permitted, but the dogs cannot linger in the parks.
City Councilman Duke Bainum, who represents the Kahala area, has introduced legislation that would allow dogs off leash in certain parks.
"We have many dog owners who deserve to have a place to take their pet off the leash," Bainum said. "We've seen a tremendous response to the two bark parks we have now, the one in Kahala and the other at the Humane Society. We need to provide pet owners a place where the owner and the pet can enjoy without a leash."
Dog owner John MacGregor, who lives on Kahala Beach, said he would oppose efforts to ban dogs on the beach.
"I don't see it as a problem," MacGregor said. "A few bad eggs spoil it for everyone. I am in favor of dogs on the beach. I cannot imagine not going to the beach and throwing the ball. To me that's what living on the beach is all about."
