Local rules for beach / water harmony with other user groups

[jeff_bennett64]

We need examples of rules that have been working to promote safety and harmony between windsports users and other water and shoreline users. (For example, fishers, divers, swimmers, people sunbathing or walking on the beach...) Our local enforcement officers are telling us they're hearing complaints from other user groups, and that the current state rules are not enforceable. We'd love to hear from anyone who has knowledge and experience with successful local rules and enforcement. (In this case, we (windsports - kiters and windsurfers) are working together, to try to maintain access for both groups, because we get lumped together - the other user groups generally don't distinguish between us.)

The background:
A community focus group has been meeting to address new rules for Kanaha Beach Park on Maui's north shore. We've had 3 of 4 scheduled meetings. The first one was basically an introduction to the situation, each other, and our goal as a group. The second and third gathered input on issues, needs, concerns, and goals of the various stakeholder groups - Swimmers, Fishers, Windsurfers, Lifeguards, Canoe clubs, Kiters, Vegetation / Malama Maui Nui, Divers, Governor’s office, Surfers / SUP, DOCARE / DLNR, DOBOR. In the fourth and final meeting, on May 27, we are supposed to develop recommendations to the DLNR (state Department of Land and Natural Resources) for new rules.

What are your local rules about:
1. Windsurfing and kiting access locations? Hours? Conditions?
2. Distance and speed from shoreline and other users?
(One of our rules, HAR 13-256-20 Windsurfing, states "Sailboard operators shall approach no closer than two hundred feet to a dive flag, indicating dive activity in progress.") Canoe paddlers report having kites jump over them, and shore fishers don't want windsurfers, kiters, or canoes running into their lines.
3. Separation of swimmers from kiters and windsurfers (or other uses)?
4. Formal or informal separation of user groups to specific areas?
5. Protecting beach-goers from uncontrolled or flyaway equipment?
6. Are you considered "vessels" under your local rules? What does that entail?
7. Is there a formal definition for windsurfing or kiting?

If you can provide specific language, and/or cite specific rules by their formal designations, that would be very helpful.

Here is information about Hawaii state rules we've thought governed windsports at Kanaha. http://kanahawatch.wordpress.com/existing-rules/ Most of the rules are from 1989 or earlier. We've assumed we fell under Coast Guard rules regarding vessels, but the DOCARE officers say we don't. The rules don't mention kiting because it didn't exist when the rules were formulated, so the local groups have voluntarily agreed to abide by the rules for windsurfing.

For more information on these meetings and this issue, see http://kanahawatch.wordpress.com/ and this thread: http://www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=27405

Thank you very much for any help you can provide. Please keep your responses on-topic and positive.

Karen Bennett