Police seek parking ban help
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward Bureau
KAILUA — Years of complaints about noise and illegal activities at the Kailua Beach Park boat ramp, sometimes three or four a night, have prompted police to ask for help in enforcing a night parking ban.
Residents living near the boat ramp at the Lanikai end of the park say problems have persisted for about seven years, with youths playing loud music, drinking, fighting and engaging in risky behavior such as skateboarding down the hillside street next to the beach.
The problem is worst on weekends, with the noise lasting until 3 a.m. and sometimes involving more than 60 people, said a neighbor who didn't want to be identified for fear of retaliation.
Police say a gate or chain across the entrance to the parking lot at the Lanikai end of the park would help solve the problem, and have asked the Kailua Neighborhood Board to support their request to the city Department of Parks and Recreation.
Lynn Ranta, who lives three homes away from the park, said she has seen the parking lot full of cars and people.
"They have speakers and coolers on top of their cars," Ranta said. Concerned that activities at the beach could endanger her home and three children, she said, "I don't sleep now. I just stay up so I can watch."
On several occasions she said she has been awakened by women screaming and wondered if someone was being raped. Ranta said she has seen people stripping and running nude and heard people having sex in the bushes. Once she chased teenagers out of her yard when they tried to hide from police, she said.
Police respond to complaints, but the offenders disappear before officers arrive, Ranta said.
"The police department does have problems with guys drinking on the weekends and partying at night," said Duane Samson, a police officer and Kailua Neighborhood Board member. He added, however, that much of the noise is from boom boxes in passing cars.
Police tried to resolve the issue years ago by requesting that the city chain off the site, but fishermen opposed the measure because they like to launch early in the morning, Samson said.
Lt. Grant Loo, from the Kailua station, said signs are posted telling people they cannot park there between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
During the week, there are enough officers to patrol the beach from the boat ramp to Castle Point on ATVs. But resources are spread thin on weekends, he said.
Rather than posting an officer at the site, which he has done, a chain would be as effective, he said. A chain or gate "is a means to carry out the intent of the posted sign," he said. "Doing so saves some resources and provides a better quality of life for the neighbors who live close to the boat ramp."
Samson said the Neighborhood Board will take up the police request at its next meeting at 7 p.m. Sept. 6 at Kailua District Park.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
