Posted on: Tuesday, April 24, 2001
Dog owners reminded of local beach rules
By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Bureau
KAHALA — Residents here are tackling the problem of unleashed dogs on the beach by reminding pet owners what their responsibilities are.
Reminders are printed up on fliers detailing the law and the responsibilities of dog ownership, particularly on a public beach, and will be passed out in the coming weeks. If that doesn't work, the group plans to talk to the dog owners individually, said Clark Hatch, an adviser to the Committee of Concerned Dog Owners, a group of 10 concerned citizens — dog lovers and beach lovers — formed to deal with the problem.
"We want the dogs to be able to go on the beach and everyone can get along," Hatch said. "After we distribute the letter to people, then we'll go to problem people specifically and get them to cooperate."
The community has been discussing the situation since October at monthly neighborhood board meetings and decided to form a committee to work out a recommended solution. The fliers will take their effort to a new level.
Residents have complained that dogs run loose on the beach, jumping up on people and scaring them while owners ignore the problem.
Others complained that the dog owners don't clean up after their dogs.
Residents say they have called the police repeatedly but want a quicker response.
The fliers talk about the need for everyone to be responsible and to cooperate, Hatch said.
The Kahala Community Association has maintained that dogs are not allowed on Kahala Beach or Wai'alae Beach because a sign at a beach says dogs are prohibited from entering the beach, leashed or otherwise.
However, at the same time, the city's Office of Council Services says Kahala is one of the few beaches on O'ahu where dogs are allowed on the sand, although they must be a on a leash. Kailua and Lanikai beaches also allow dogs on leashes.
"I'm sure we can expect some mixed reactions from the flier," said Kahala resident David Gray. "The owners who have let their dogs run free won't be happy, and the owners who have been abiding by the law will be happy."
