A bill severely limiting commercial activities at city-run beach parks in Waimanalo was deferred by a City Council committee Thursday to allow parties to hash out a compromise.

Bill 8, introduced by Windward-area Councilman Ikaika Anderson, would bar most commercial activity at Waimanalo, Kaiona, Kaupo and Makapuu beach parks at all times, and at Waimanalo Bay and Bellows Field beach parks on weekends.

It also would apply to the city’s beach rights of way and easements from Lanikai to Makapuu Point.

The Zoning and Planning Committee heard impassioned testimony from Waimanalo residents who said their beach parks are being overrun by commercial activities from bus tours to wedding ceremonies. But their pleas were largely drowned out by a greater number of wedding planners, photographers and film industry people who said they are generally respectful and that better enforcement of current laws is a more reasonable remedy.

"It’s evident that we clearly have some more work to do," Anderson said in recommending a deferral, adding that he would like a compromise.

Kukana Kama-Toth said she first approached Anderson about the bill because she saw an increasing of number of tour groups "trying to set up shop, trying to run tours on our beaches."

Longtime residents visiting the beach have been asked by wedding photographers to move away, Kama-Toth said. Meanwhile, tour buses that are legally allowed to stop for 15 minutes abuse the law.

Scotty Reis-Moniz said the key issue is with the tourism industry, and tour buses that have increased to the point that they block residents from access to the beaches.

Residents want respect for the community and suggested companies offer support for keiki and kupuna programs as well as area businesses.

"We don’t want you to come in our house wearing your slippers," Reis-Moniz said. "We not goin’ do ’em in your house, so please just give the respect. … That’s all we’re asking."

But scores of wedding planners, videographers and photographers joined film industry officials in urging Council members not to mess with their livelihoods. Several noted that a ban on commercial activity several years ago at Kailua Beach Park, Kalama Beach Park and strips of beach from Lanikai to Castle Point already has limited where they can go.

Dexter Gomes of Magic Island Productions, a film company, said, "When we lost Kailua we lost a lot of business, we lost a lot of people. They went away." If filming activity in Waimanalo is also restricted, "that’s something that’s going to really limit the people that are coming down."

The existing permitting system for those who want to film makes it clear to his company that working on the beach "is a privilege, not a right," and he said his company takes pains to adhere to the conditions imposed by permits issued by Honolulu Film Commissioner Walea Constantinau.

Constantinau testified against the the bill, stating that the current regulatory system gives her the flexibility to deal with permit applications individually in what is "a creative, dynamic industry."

Wedding planner Lauren Carson said she already has bookings through 2017. "Where are they going to go? Waialae? Waikiki? Ala Moana? We’re just going to have the same meeting next year when those citizens are concerned."

Pastor Karen Carson Russ, owner of Affordable Weddings Hawaii, apologized to Waimanalo residents for needing to "endure such violation of where you live."

She said stakeholders can get together to address residents’ concerns but that a ban is not a solution.