Areas east of the Kapahulu Groin have been removed from a plan to assess fees on Waikiki property owners and businesses to help pay for beach replenishment and other improvements.
The City Council Zoning Committee made the change Thursday in response to concerns brought by the Surfrider Foundation and groups interested in the future of Kapiolani Park, the Waikiki War Memorial and Kaimana Beach.
But even with the change, opposition continues from some who remain worried and distrustful that the tourism industry would be allowed to dictate the future of those areas considered "local" spots in Waikiki.
Bill 81 (2014) allows the city to set up special improvement districts to finance shoreline improvement, restoration and protection projects. Bill 82 (2014) creates such a district in Waikiki.
Councilman Trevor Ozawa, who represents Waikiki, proposed removing the portion of the beach east of Kapahulu Avenue.
Ozawa said there are some who think the beach east of Kapahulu should be factored into any plans for changes on the west side because they view it as one, contiguous beach. But some bill opponents want plans on the "visitor" side separate from the east side.
"Let’s limit it at the Kapahulu Groin for now, let’s look and see if, at a later date, the people and community members past Kapahulu Groin going Diamond Head would like to be included in the special improvement district," Ozawa said, adding that he still wants those outside the district involved in the process.
The idea for a special improvement district initially came from the Waikiki Improvement Association amid growing concerns that the sand is depleting at an alarming rate along the shoreline of Hawaii’s most iconic beach.
Rick Egged, association president, said his members understand the issues raised and are OK with removing areas east of Kapahulu from the district.
Egged said the district only allows for the money to be used for a Waikiki Beach management plan.
"In other words, we can only do beach improvements," he said, emphasizing that the board in charge of the fund "has no development powers whatsoever."
The bills are up for a final vote before the full Council, likely on April 22.
