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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, September 21, 2003

Maui bill targets beach vendors

Associated Press

WAILUKU, Maui — The Maui County Council is scheduled to take a final vote Oct. 3 on a bill that would ban commercial recreation activities at several county beach parks.

The measure was approved on first reading Friday.

Under the bill, violation of the ban would be a misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $500 for each infraction.

The measure would move the administration of commercial ocean recreation activities from the county Finance Department to the Department of Parks and Recreation and enable county parks employees to assist in the enforcement.

The proposal also calls for the Parks Department to develop administrative rules for commercial recreation activities at several dozen beach parks not included in the ban.

Park areas named in the proposed ban include Ho'okipa, Launiupoko, Puamana, Baldwin Beach, the three Kama'ole beach parks and the southern portion of Kalama Park and Cove Park.

Some residents who testified in favor of the bill said they were having difficulty enjoying the beaches because of the commercial activities.

Ku'au business owner Leona Nomura, who helped gather more than 1,000 signatures supporting the bill, said she is afraid places such as Ho'okipa Beach Park will become too crowded for public enjoyment if commercial activities continue to grow on the north side of Maui.

Greg Howeth, owner of Lahaina Divers, said problems have arisen at the beaches because there has not been enough enforcement to ensure commercial users have county permits.

Howeth said the bill would punish the legitimate commercial users because the illegitimate users could continue to operate without permits unless the laws are enforced.