A permanent ban on booze at the Kaneohe sandbar during three-day weekends will be imposed if approved by the state Land Board.

The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation will ask the board today for a permanent ban on alcohol in hopes of stamping out disorderly conduct at Ahu o Laka on three-day state holiday weekends. The request comes after a significant drop in unruly behavior occurred after the board imposed a temporary emergency ban in June, banning alcohol consumption for a 120-day period following the death of a 26-year-old Kaneohe man during Memorial Day weekend.

Nelden Torres died at a hospital from blunt force trauma. On Memorial Day, Torres was involved in a fight with another man at the Heeia Kea Small Boat Harbor. The Honolulu Prosecutor’s Office had said Torres threw the first punch and was injured when he fell and hit his head on the asphalt. Alcohol and cocaine was detected in his system by medical examiners.

Prosecutors decided not to press charges against a 28-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault, saying he acted in self-defense.

For the past several years, the sandbar, located about a mile away from the harbor, has turned into a party site where as many as 200 boats and 500 people flock primarily during major three-day weekends such as July Fourth, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Area residents had said crowds were getting out of control.

Boating Administrator Ed Underwood said the emergency rule that took effect from June through October helped to curb unwanted activity at the sandbar, reporting that the number of people and boats dropped by half. "It was user-friendly again. They can bring their families back out," said Underwood.

Eight citations — three during the July Fourth weekend and five during Labor Day weekend — were issued to individuals for unauthorized possession of alcohol within the Ahu o Laka safety zone. Imposed fines ranged from $50 to $400.

In a written recommendation, Underwood requested the Land Board prohibit possession or consumption of alcohol and other intoxicating substances within the most frequently crowded sections of Ahu o Laka and the immediate surrounding area; prohibit entering or remaining in the safety zone while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or drugs; and prohibit disorderly conduct.

While the sandbar has become more subdued, enforcement officers noticed more boaters ventured to waters off of Wakiki and Maunalua Bay during those weekends.

Richard and May Sensano of Kaneohe, who enjoyed a peaceful afternoon Thursday fishing for aholehole near the loading dock at Heeia Boat Harbor, said they support a permanent ban. "I’m for it," said Richard Sensano. "Less fights, less trouble, he said. "Less people getting hurt."

May Sensano said they avoid the harbor on three-day holidays. "From what I see on TV, it seems like a scary place to me," she said. "Too much drinking. People go wild over there."

Kaneohe resident Brett Phillips, 53, opposes the ban, saying most of the problems can be addressed with more enforcement at the harbor. "It’s another case of limiting everyone’s enjoyment because of a few bad apples," said Phillips, who has been going to the sandbar his entire life. "It’s a mitigable problem that’s causing the majority of the people who aren’t a problem to lose rights that are completely reasonable."