Strictly regulate use of beaches for weddings

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jun 12, 2012

~~<p>Hawaii's beaches are out of bounds for commercial activity without a permit, and a federal appeals court has ruled that includes weddings, as small as those limited to a minister, bride and groom. The matrimonial rules on sand were adopted by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the broad regulations are justified and were long in coming only a decade ago.</p>
<p>Last week's ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was a timely reminder that the public has first rights to Hawaii's beaches. No longer can they be commercially congested, and beginning in 2002, a business is rightfully required to buy a state permit to make a profit on the beach, with certain limitations. Beach weddings continue to be popular on Oahu and the neighbor islands, as more than 7,000 vows were made by couples during the first year of the permit requirements.</p>
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Hawaii's beaches are out of bounds for commercial activity without a permit, and a federal appeals court has ruled that includes weddings, as small as those limited to a minister, bride and groom. The matrimonial rules on sand were adopted by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, and the broad regulations are justified and were long in coming only a decade ago.

Last week's ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was a timely reminder that the public has first rights to Hawaii's beaches. No longer can they be commercially congested, and beginning in 2002, a business is rightfully required to buy a state permit to make a profit on the beach, with certain limitations. Beach weddings continue to be popular on Oahu and the neighbor islands, as more than 7,000 vows were made by couples during the first year of the permit requirements. Login for more...