Maui tour operators banned at reserve
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
KIHEI, Maui — The state has declared the 'Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve and neighboring La Perouse Bay off limits to commercial kayaking and other tour operations.
The move follows a decision two weeks ago by the Natural Area Reserve System Commission to reject a proposal to establish a kayak concession there.
Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairman Peter Young had supported the concession plan as a way of controlling the activity while raising money to protect the resource. But Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa, County Councilman Wayne Nishiki and state Rep. Joe Souki, D-8th (Wailuku, Waihe'e), were among those who opposed any commercial operations within the reserve.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources dispatched a boat, personal watercraft and 10 enforcement officers to the area early Saturday to begin enforcing the ban.
Mark Nickerson, owner of Private Kayak Tours, said yesterday that while most of the kayak companies were anticipating the enforcement action in the reserve, they didn't know it would extend to La Perouse, known as Keone'o'io. He said at least a couple of companies spent a significant amount of money changing brochures and advertising under the belief that access to La Perouse would continue.
Nickerson said his firm and other companies in the Kayak Association of Maui agreed to abandon the reserve effective last Thursday. On Sunday, however, at least two kayak companies continued to operate there, he said.
Young said violations likely will be pursued through an administrative process of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
"However, we also have the option to take violations through a criminal process in the courts," he said.
Statutes call for administrative fines of up to $2,500 for the first violation, up to $5,000 for the second, and up to $10,000 for the third. Violations under the criminal process call for penalties of up to $2,000 and a year in jail.
Nickerson said he hopes the state acts fairly and prohibits all commercial companies from using the reserve.
Young said the action applies to all land- and water-based commercial activities, including commercial kayak, snorkel, dive and hiking tours. 'Ahihi-Kina'u and Keone'o'io remain open to the public.
He urged visitors to respect the region's historical and cultural features, not damage the fragile resources and to keep the area clean.
The 'Ahihi-Kina'u Reserve, situated near the end of the road at Makena, includes nearshore waters, lava flow remnants, tidepools and ponds located within the lava.
A growing number of visitors and tour activities has raised issues of overuse and resource degradation. A recent survey said an estimated 700 people visit the area daily.
In the coming months, the state is planning to establish two Hawai'i Tourism Authority-funded rangers to patrol the area, add signs and portable toilets, and fund scientific surveys.
Reach Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.
