Tours offer novel view of reef
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KANE'OHE — Six kayaks with see-through bottoms will soon begin making guided tours of Kane'ohe Bay reefs as part of a new educational program at He'eia State Park designed to generate money for park maintenance.
The program is being launched by Friends of He'eia, which operates cultural and educational programs at the park.
An inaugural voyage will take place Saturday, offering reef tours to members of the Kane'ohe Neighborhood Board, said Carole McLean, executive director of the Friends of He'eia.
Next month, the public will have a chance to take tours for free, McLean said. From September, a fee (that has yet to be determined) will be charged.
"This is a safe, clean, fun way to learn a little something about the bay and enjoy it at the same time," McLean said.
The Friends of He'eia has leased the 20-acre He'eia State Park since 1983, after it was spared from development. But little money has been available for upkeep of the buildings, which suffer from termite infestation. The organization hopes the tours will generate enough money to help replace some of the damaged wood.
Kayak builder Clear Blue Hawai'i has formed a partnership with the group, leasing the kayaks for a percentage of revenue from the tour program. Andres Segrera, a partner in Clear Blue, said the business also will provide marketing support for the program, which benefits the community and the park.
"It's a good way for He'eia to produce revenue and at the same time educate the general public," he said.
Not many people use his kayaks for educational purposes, but Segrera said there is great potential, and interest in ocean reefs is clearly demonstrated by the number of visitors to Hanauma Bay.
The kayaks are made of a transparent material that gives a view of the ocean below. Clear Blue designed them for military applications, which did not materialize. Realizing the kayak's potential, the company decided to market it for commercial use.
Roy Yanagihara, chairman of the Kane'ohe Neighborhood Board, said the new program would be a financial boost to the Friends, which lacks money for park repairs and has no state entity to turn to for support.
"I think it's a good plan and the board will support it," Yanigahara said.
McLean also is hoping to round up support to provide night kayaking during the coral spawning season, now through September. Coral spawn at the new and full moon, she said, and the kayaks are equipped with lights that should make the sight visible to paddlers.
The Friends of He'eia is taking reservations for the free kayak tours in August. Tour will be conducted on Saturdays only, from 9 a.m. to noon, except Aug. 17. Call 247-3156.
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
