Some want kiteboarding banned at Waimanalo
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward Bureau
WAIMANALO — Residents and neighborhood board members have called for a ban on kiteboarding along Waimanalo beaches, citing safety issues, rude behavior and limited space.
But kiteboarding advocates said the relatively new sport can be enjoyed safely and without bothering other beach users if rules are established and followed.
Waimanalo is the second O'ahu community to consider limiting or banning kiteboarding in recent months. Having only advisory power, the Waimanalo board tabled action, but testimony indicates that the issue will remain contentious.
At least five people attending the Waimanalo Neighborhood Board meeting this week said sharing the beach with kiteboarders is impossible. Kiteboarders and boardsailors take over the beach, said Richard Okita, 68, who uses Waimanalo Beach six days a week with his wife. Kiteboarders show no courtesy for others and can't control their equipment, Okita said. He also said rules and regulations won't work unless there is enforcement.
"Unfortunately, the only working solution is a complete ban," he said in asking the board to use its influence with elected officials and government agencies to enact a ban before an accident occurs. "Being indecisive will invite confrontation and emotional stand-offs."
Kite surfer Donnel Nunes, president of the Hawai'i Kiteboarding Association: O'ahu, told the board that his organization has already met with officials from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and city Department of Parks and Recreation to address similar concerns at Kailua Beach Park.
The association is also working with the Kailua Neighborhood Board and Kailua residents, who complained in September about reckless kiteboarders. Neighborhood boards have only advisory power over the beaches; any official rules or limitations on kiteboarding would have to come from the land department.
The Kailua board called for adoption of regulations in November. This year, Sen. Fred Hemmings R-25 (Kailua-Waimanalo) introduced a bill to finance a master plan for Kailua and Waimanalo bays, to include guidelines and rules to regulate activities in the two bays.
The land department has resolved a conflict on Maui, where wind, wave and kite surfers competed for the same space at Kahana Beach. The department worked with the groups and they now share a section of Kahana called Kite Beach.
In Kailua-Kona, which is more like Kailua Beach with neighborhood issues such as safety, the land department has said that it will bring all users together to work out regulations.
Howard Gehring, acting administrator for the agency's Boating and Ocean Recreation Division, has said the department might support some kind of ban on kite surfing in places on O'ahu and also would consider moving the activity to an area restricted to kite surfing.
Nunes said education and respect will make the sport safe for everyone.
"I'm trying to work with a group of people to make sure that we create a safe environment where kiteboarding is not intrusive to other beach users," he said.
In Kailua, kiteboarders have agreed to launch from one area and launch one at a time. Nunes said he would be willing to help organize kite surfers using Waimanalo Beach and persuade them to launch from one area.
Board member Mabel Spencer said the organization should work out its solution with the Kailua community, implement rules and then approach the Waimanalo community.
"When you have harmony in Kailua, then you can come to us," Spencer said.
Board member Nancy Glover suggested a ban until regulations were in place.
"Ban it in Waimanalo until you get it together," she said.
