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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, June 22, 2009

Bellows reopening, but with new rules


Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Gordon Olayvar, federal conservation law enforcement officer, examines evidence of a campfire or cooking fire at Bellows. Open fires are prohibited at the beach park, according to new park rules and regulations.

BRUCE ASATO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Bellows Beach Park will reopen to the public for the Independence Day weekend, but there will be new regulations, Mayor Mufi Hannemann's office announced.

"We're very pleased to continue to make this wonderful beach park available for public recreation and enjoyment," Hannemann said. "We trust that the public knows how important it is to keep the area safe and clean for everyone."

Marine Corps Base Hawai'i officials had ordered the popular beach temporarily closed during June in response to environmental and safety concerns, which the city and Marines are jointly addressing.

The beach is a Marine Corps training area that is open to the public during weekends and holidays through an agreement between the Marines and the city, which maintains the area during those times.

The city will provide an opportunity for those who held camping permits for the June 5-7 and June 12-14 weekends to obtain substitute camping permits for a future summer weekend at Bellows on a priority basis. Permit holders will be contacted with details.

The beach park will reopen July 3 at noon, and new park rules and regulations will be enforced as follows:

• The park will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. unless authorized by permit.

• Day use parking will be limited to the two designated parking areas, which are the old runways mauka of Tinker Road.

• Day use parking areas will be closed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• Only vehicles with approved camping parking permits will be allowed to park in the designated camping areas.

• A maximum of 50 camping permits will be issued each weekend.

• A maximum of 10 campers will be allowed for each permit.

• A maximum of three vehicles will be allowed for each permit.

• Vehicles must at all times display parking passes that will be issued with camping permits.

• Campers must remain in the designated camping area from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

• No one will be allowed to enter the park from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

The following items and activities are prohibited:

• Vehicles on the beach.

• Alcoholic beverages.

• Dogs or other animals.

• Camping other than by permit.

• Open fires and bonfires.

• Sale or vending of any merchandise.

• Cutting or removal of any vegetation, soil, sand, gravel or rocks.

• Dumping of any kind.