For nearly two years, John Jacobus and his family have enjoyed living across Iroquois Avenue from Iroquois Point Beach, a beach that in recent years has been off-limits to the general public.

Yesterday morning, he took his two 5-year-old twins there to build sand castles.

As a resident of the Iroquois Point Island Club, Jacobus and his family are one of about 1,000 families that have had access to the spectacular sunrise coming over Diamond Head each morning and the exclusive use of the beach.

That policy changes April 15 when Iroquois Point Beach will be open from sunrise to sunset daily to the public, leasing company Ford Island Housing LLC announced yesterday. Everywhere residents and their guests can go, the public will be able to go too, except only when the sun is out.

The opening comes after several months of negotiations among the Navy, which retains the fee interest on the property, Ford Island Housing and area leaders.

Jacobus, an Air Force major stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, is philosophical about the change. On the one hand, he's concerned that overuse might cause the beach to run down quicker. He said he cannot understand why some people who go to beaches don't pick up after themselves.

On the other hand, he recognizes that in Hawai'i, all beaches are supposed to be open to the public.

"The law's the law, as long as people respect the beach like the residents do," he said.

The scenic beach, in the private rental Iroquois Point Island Club community, has been blocked off to the public since the former Naval housing complex was leased to private developers five years ago.

The beach is on the southeastern end of 'Ewa Beach, at the western end of the mouth of Pearl Harbor.

23 PARKING STALLS

Under the plan, the public will have access to a designated area from sunrise to sunset. One-day passes will be available at the front gate, on Iroquois Drive off North Road. Motorists will be directed to one of 23 public parking stalls, about 20 percent of the total number of stalls on the beach, that are located in two spots along the opposite sides of the beach.

Steve Colon, Hawai'i division president of Hunt Development LP, the managing partner of Ford Island Housing, said the 20 percent figure is an arbitrary one based on what he observed at resorts around the state. The number of stalls may change depending on how much demand there is. Walk-ins won't be allowed but bikes will be.

Sen. Will Espero, D-20th ('Ewa Beach, Waipahu), applauded the beach access plan as "a good start." Espero added, however, that he would like to see more stalls, and more of them closer to the center of the beach.

Colon said things may change. "It's really more of a 'let's-try-it-out-and-see-how-it-goes' situation," he said.

The plan permits water activities such as fishing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and surfing in designated areas. There will be no lifeguards on duty, so the public will enter at their own risk, Ford Island Housing said.

Sunbathing is OK and people can bring beach mats and chairs. The public will be allowed to use the restroom facilities but will not be allowed to use Iroquois Point Island Club amenities such as beach chairs and cabanas.

Colon said the policy is similar to that at other resorts where the general public is allowed but may not use amenities.

The Navy retains the buffer area along the shoreline and retains control of the Naval Defensive Sea Area.

Colon said Navy officials asked for the boundaries as a safety precaution.

"Ford Island Housing and the Navy worked proactively together to devise a positive solution that will create easy access for the public, while responding to the needs of local residents and, simultaneously, adhering to Navy security requirements," Colon said.

Colon said the area's senator and representative met with Hunt and Navy officials on Friday to work over the final details.

CORDIAL CROWDS

Aside from restriping of parking stalls and the posting of some new signs, the major expense being incurred by Iroquois Point is the hiring of an additional security person. It remains to be seen whether the added visitors will result in more maintenance work.

Colon said he's not sure how many outsiders will want to come in. While it's among the nicest beaches on the west side, it's a far drive into 'Ewa Beach toward the end of Fort Weaver Road. People coming from town might think it's quicker to get to Ko Olina Resort, he said.

The beach has been one of the attractions advertised in rental brochures. Colon said he's thinking positively and hoping that opening the beach to the public will be a boon for business.

"I would think people will see how Iroquois Point is and maybe the word'll get out that this is a great beach over here," he said. "And maybe that will help us lease more homes."

Jacobus, the Iroquois Point resident, said neighbors and their guests already keep the beach pretty full on weekend days. He said crowds have usually been cordial, and there have been only a handful of times in nearly two years when there's been music playing too loudly at night. Management has handled those situations well, he said.

Jacobus said that even with a public beach, he would lease the same house again. "Without a doubt I'd do it again," he said, citing the beach, a big yard, his neighbors and other features of the community.

Said Rep. Kymberly Pine, R-43rd ('Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Pu'uloa): "This final plan enables the public to equally enjoy the beach that is available to the residents and their guests — and rightfully so."

Ford Island Housing has a 65-year lease on the property.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.