Posted on: Tuesday, June 25, 2002

Navy to reopen beach closed since Sept. 11

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau

KEKAHA, Kaua'i — The beaches fronting the Pacific Missile Range Facility will be reopened to the public within a few weeks for fishing, surfing and camping.

Capt. Donald Wilson last night told an applauding audience of about 100 people that they would be able to apply for photo identification cards that would allow immediate access to the beach on weekends and federal holidays, and that he hoped to restore seven-day-a-week access eventually.

The 7.5-mile-long sand beach fronting the missile range was open to the public daily except during military activities until Sept. 11 when the Navy closed it to all but essential workers. It has allowed only limited access since then.

Wilson surprised a community expecting word of more restrictive conditions yesterday when he said his goal is to provide as much public access to the shoreline as possible, within the framework of new world security issues.

"We can't ignore the fact that the country's still at war. We don't know who the bad guys are," he said.

But he said beachgoers should be able to pick up application forms for identification cards within about two weeks. Applicants will have to undergo police checks, and those with felony convictions will be denied access. The Navy will set times for having identification card photographs taken.

"If people pay attention to the rules, we can open it seven days a week," he said.

Some restrictions will be in place. The Navy will not allow vehicles to be driven on the beach, and beachgoers will need to park and walk along the beach to some locations. In addition, barriers restricting access will remain at both ends of the base.