Let nonprofit beachboy organizations return to Kuhio Beach

As one of the original “Ambassadors of Aloha,” the Waikiki beachboy is an essential part of Waikiki’s history. For over a century, the beachboys have endured the wave of changes, and because of their love for the ocean and willingness in sharing the “Aloha Spirit,” they have played a vital role in keeping the ancient Hawaiian sport of surfing and outrigger canoeing alive at Waikiki Beach.

In the 1990s, George Downing, Rabbit Kekai, Bobby Ah Choy and other old-time beachboys were concerned with protecting the beachboy traditions from outside influence. With the support of then-Councilman Neil Ambercrombie and former Parks Directors Walter Ozawa and Tom Nekota, the Honolulu City Council in amending the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) Chapter 28-3.3(e) found “that the Hawaiian beachboys are rooted in the state’s historical and cultural traditions and there is a need for the city to provide concessions to licensed beachboys on beach park property under the jurisdiction of the city.”

This ordinance exempts nonprofit beachboys concessions from the requirements of bidding concessions or concession spaces set aside to a nonprofit beachboy association whose purpose is dedicated to the preservation of the Hawaii beachboy tradition.

As a result, Palekaiko Beachboys Club was formed to further strengthen the Hawaii beachboy tradition by providing educational programs and services to the general public — both locals and visitors alike — in the area of water sports, specifically surfing and outrigger canoeing. These are activities that were developed by the ancient Hawaiians and reached their highest refinement under the Hawaii beachboys.

Sadly, for over a decade, Palekaiko has been fighting to get the City and County of Honolulu and its officials to comply with the “special conditions” governing the awarding of nonprofit beachboy concessions and return the nonprofit beachboy concession back to its rightful place near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at Kuhio Beach Park.

Consequently, ROH 28-3.3(e)(3) sets forth the “Special Conditions to Be Met When Providing Beachboy Concessions on Beach Park Property under the Jurisdiction of the City and County of Honolulu. The following special conditions shall govern the award of nonprofit beachboy concessions on beach park property under the jurisdiction of the City and County of Honolulu:

(A) The Department of Parks and Recreation shall designate specific sites on the beach for each beachboy concession and shall locate the sites so as not to impede access to and use of the beach by the public … ”

So, why is the City and County of Honolulu and its officials not providing for nonprofit beachboy concessions near the Duke Kahanamoku statue?

Finally, it is Palekaiko’s position that the nonprofit beachboy organizations should not be competing with the for-profit corporations for concession spaces at Kuhio Beach. Therefore, it is time for city officials to comply with the special conditions set forth in ROH 28-3.3(e)(3) and return the nonprofit beachboy concessions back to its rightful place near the Duke Kahanamoku statue at Kuhio Beach. Let the Waikiki beachboys continue to carry on their traditions without outside interference and disturbance.

Thomas J. Copp is acting executive director of the Palekaiko Beachboys Club.