World Surf League seems not important enough to city

Two years ago when the NFL wanted to serve alcohol at Queen’s Beach as part of a Pro Bowl event, the city swiftly plowed through an apparently conflicting, long-standing ordinance to grant an exception.

Last summer when the debuting Biki bike-sharing program rolled out 1,000 bikes without the required registration, the city hurriedly rolled up its sleeves and worked with the Honolulu Police Department and Department of Transportation Services to allow a five day grace period.

But when the World Surf League asked to be allowed to swap permits for two of its major events here in scheduling for the 2019 season, the city balked and an impasse has ensued.

One that, unless common ground is found, has the potential to cost the state some marquee events.

At issue is allowing the WSL to move the Billabong Pipe Masters out of its familiar December dates to January on the 2019 schedule, where it had originally planned another event.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who has the power to accommodate such requests, has taken issue with the WSL, condemning what he termed its efforts to “usurp” the permitting process.

History suggesting “usurp” is a pliable term.

Caldwell said, “The WSL missed deadlines in the process and, now, they are trying to take dates that others have applied for prior to the process being completed.”

The Mayor’s past “anything you need” pledge to the NFL apparently not extending to the folks who run the professional version of Hawaii’s indigenous sport, surfing.

As such, the administration’s seeming reluctance to work with the WSL toward a positive conclusion for all concerned is curious on any number of fronts.

The surf competitions held here not only serve to help promote tourism as a major industry with global exposure, they provide world-class entertainment locally and help further the careers of homegrown surfers.

The WSL maintains the permitting issue, which it said was first brought up nearly a year ago, would not result in additional days or changes in dates originally applied for.

Without confirmation of approval, however, the WSL said in a release Sunday it has, “reluctantly (begun) exploring alternative solutions.”

Whether the Billabong Pipe Masters and women’s Pro would actually depart remains to be seen, but, really, what is the percentage in chancing it after a nearly 50-year association?

“To lose the WSL would be embarrassing to the North Shore, Honolulu and the State of Hawaii. The North Shore is well known as the surfing capitol (sic) of the world,” city councilman Ernie Martin, whose district includes the North Shore, wrote in an email. “Another black eye for our State.”

Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater said in a release, “I’m hoping we don’t find ourselves in a situation where miscommunication or semantics around the permitting process drastically impacts the long history and tradition of Hawaii playing a crucial role in determining our champions.”

Six-time Triple Crown of Surfing champion Sunny Garcia, in a statement, said that the events keep, “Hawaii on the map as the Surfing Mecca, and is much loved and respected by the athletes. The community loves these events, and all Hawaiian surfers want the advantage of performing in their own back yard, in front of their home crowd.”

Clearly, the WSL, which last year established a North Shore office and oversees 180 events a year worldwide, is no manini operation, either in its scope or the benefits accrued to the city and state.

It certainly deserves at least the same consideration as the long-gone NFL and newly-arrived Biki.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.