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Windsurfing Access at Kanaha Maui in Danger
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hemmy007



Joined: 10 May 2002
Posts: 101

PostPosted: Thu Dec 19, 2013 9:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mauipete wrote:
Just received the following email in response to my inquiry to the Governor. (Two weeks ago). Not at all surprised, but the tone of the response anoys me. I also received an email yesterday (in error) from DLNR about bathrooms at the harbor on the big island (posted at the bottom) which just goes to show that they're just blowing us off.

Aloha Mr. Peter Sullivan
Thank you for writing to Governor Abercrombie regarding placement of regulatory buoys at Kanaha beach. We would like to clarify that there are already existing rules in place which delineate swim zones, and we will be installing the buoys to mark those areas and enforce these existing rules shortly after the new year. There is plenty of space outside for wind- and kite-surfing activities to continue.
We also plan to hold public meetings in future to review the rules and seek community recommendations for possible changes to the rules. Since rule changes can take some time, we intend to go forward with enforcing rules regarding activities in the current swim zones. DLNR will work with all interested parties to draft rule amendments as deemed necessary. We also expect to begin this process shortly after the new year.
Sincerely,

WILLIAM J. AILA, JR.
DLNR Chairperson



Mr. Sullivan,

Thank you for taking the time to write the DLNR about this issue.

I, along with a number of bay area WS/KS people, have written as well.
Unfortunately, since we are not tax payers or full time residents
(several of us have places of in OGG & visit 3 to 6 times a year)
our voices have little weight.

Their response to you seems like typical bureaucratic BS,
hide behind rules, unions, etc, while not looking at the real issues.

Really liked his comment:

There is plenty of space outside for
wind- and kite-surfing activities to continue.

But there is no place for a beginner to launch or land downwind.
Not sure how to get too/from the 'space outside' & the beach. ;-(
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daKine



Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 39

PostPosted: Mon Dec 30, 2013 1:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The story goes on.
DLNR is planning to set the new bouys right after the New Year.
The appeals process grinds on.
Nobody knows nothing.
The website set up by the shops has not been updated for weeks.

From Kiteforum, Dec 23...
"To add fuel to the fire to this problem -- yesterday an incident which resulted in bodily injury to a kiter by another kiter at Naish beach left me in disbelief that two adult male kiters can be so stupid and raise more issues and reasons to close our access to the ocean here at Kanaha. I spoke to the police officer and he said this kind of behavior by the kite community will ultimately shut down access period. What the hell were you think'n? Again, big egos resulted in absolutely nothing other than exhibiting recklessness amongst us and more reasons to shut us down."

Happy New Year.
I'm really thrilled to be writing some big checks for my next trip and not having a clue of what to expect except sharks.
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keycocker



Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 3598

PostPosted: Tue Dec 31, 2013 1:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The start of the tourist season will be an interesting enforcement problem at Lowers. The lifeguards will need to learn to speak Japanese or maybe get a hundred extra so they can lock arms in a line across the beach.
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winfreak



Joined: 26 Apr 2001
Posts: 61
Location: Oregon Coast

PostPosted: Wed Jan 01, 2014 9:57 pm    Post subject: Great news from KanahaWatch! Reply with quote

see web page: http://kanahawatch.wordpress.com/

"“Phased approach” planned for buoy installation

31 Tuesday Dec 2013

Posted by Karen Bennett in News

We are very happy to report that we recently had a productive meeting with the DLNR Chairperson, William Aila and many others to whom you have written. The Department has heard your concerns and would like to work with the community to amend the rules to better reflect acceptable uses. We are confident that when we finish the process, our beloved Kanaha will be an even better and safer place for all. A phased approach to buoy installation will be implemented at Ka’a Point, where the trouble began. This approach will mitigate disruption at Lowers and Uppers during the amendment process.

As a reminder, all vessels are governed by Coast Guard Right-of-Way Rules and other State Rules for the North Shore Maui Ocean Recreation Management Area.
Existing Coast Guard Right-of-Way rules include

Starboard (right hand forward) has right of way over port.
Windward vessel shall keep clear of leeward vessel.
Overtaking vessel shall keep clear of the vessel she is overtaking.
A vessel under way must keep clear of a vessel restricted in ability to maneuver. (So kites and windsurfers would almost always give way to outrigger canoes, the only exception being when the canoe is underway and the kite or windsurfer is down – not under way.)

Existing State of Hawaii safety rules include

Windsurfers and Kitesurfers shall approach no closer than 200′ to a dive flag.
Windsurfers and Kitesurfers are restricted to “slow, no-wake” within 200′ of a shoreline, a swimmer, or another vessel that is not under way (like a canoe resting between sprints.)
No windsurfing or kitesurfing before 11 am, except beginner windsurfing may commence at 9 am at Uppers/Kooks beach within 300′ of shoreline. (To give divers unhindered access to the reef while winds are normally light anyway.)
Reckless or careless operation of a vessel is prohibited at all places and all times.

BOTTOM LINE … RESPECT OTHERS AND BE CAREFUL.

MAHALO!" Very Happy
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keycocker



Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 3598

PostPosted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 5:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great post at any time thanks.

A often broken rule is this.

A vessel which has right of way must hold its course or it cedes that right of way to the other vessel.

At Kanaha if you are going out on a broad reach and a sailor is pointing her way in, you have right of way.
If you turn toward the wind to point up past her you have given up your right of way when you changed course. If you run her over it does not matter that you are going out.
You gave up right of way.
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daKine



Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Posts: 39

PostPosted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great update.....

As a long time sailboat racer, the rules of the road are very familiar to me.
I think about 98% of the sailors at Kanaha don't even know these rules exist.
Time to learn.

The slow, no wake rule within 200' of shore will be interesting to enforce since many sailors come in close to jibe in smoother water while showing off.
How many folks will be dropping off plane 200' out and schlogging in on sinky gear?
If there is shorebreak I like to practically run it up an the beach and move quickly to get out of the water.
The Guards and locals will likely set the tone on whether the tourists obey.
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dsgrntlxmply



Joined: 16 Jun 2010
Posts: 255

PostPosted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Priority for starboard tack is an example of a traditional convention that ought to be reexamined for best relevance to beach wind sports. Suppose this rule were replaced by inbound sailor has priority. This is no disadvantage to a strong sailor, but is valuable to someone who is tired or otherwise struggling to get safely back to shore. Most beginners are worse on port tack than on starboard, especially if at Kanaha or east SF Bay sites where the prevailing wind is from starboard.

I am not raising this for the immediate Kanaha situation, but as a pondering point.
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mac



Joined: 07 Mar 1999
Posts: 17742
Location: Berkeley, California

PostPosted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 7:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Here's where attention to detail comes in handy. There is a long-established set of rules for commercial vessels, and for racing. They have been adopted by governing boards of sailing associations and by the Coast Guard. Since all waters not within a state have a set of Federal ownership rights known as navigational servitude, the Coast Guard has the authority to enforce those rules, and the courts recognize them in personal injury cases.

Changing those rules is not impossible, but is a daunting task. Politically, it involves creating a consensus that some alternative set of rules is superior. It then involves working with the Coast Guard, and often with each state and county or city, because they would have to change their regulations.

Or you could just ignore them like Isobars does, and hope you don't hit somebody and get sued.
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keycocker



Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 3598

PostPosted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 5:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There is no enforcement of these rules of any kind at Kanaha.
A crash is your punishment.
Boards turn quickly and stop on dime unlike boats. Almost all crashes can be averted at the last minute, even in crowded conditions. That is the most important rule ,which states that you must avoid collisions whether you have right of way or not.
There is lot of water out there to sail in.
The rule in uncrowded Belize is
If you are an experienced local sailor you never have right of way.
If you are a visitor or new sailor just hold your course and we will never run you over.
Easy to steer around anyone if you know how to sail.
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fxop



Joined: 13 Jun 1998
Posts: 202

PostPosted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 12:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hope this thread doesn't get diverted down the well-worn ROW path.

Just want to thank all the locals who are putting many hours into grinding through the DLNR process to keep Kanaha accessible, especially Patti Cadiz and Karen Bennett. What can we do for them in return?

fxop
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