Waimanalo area beaches fall under DHHL, not city

There needs to be some clarification about the purpose of the City Council’s Bill 8 and about the beach parks in Waimanalo.

Waimanalo is a rural town, with a laid-back lifestyle. Over half of the residents there are Native Hawaiian and beneficiaries of the state Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL).

The majority of the families have resided on homestead lands for at least five generations and are not going anywhere anytime soon. However, what these families are experiencing at the hand of tourism is changing the entire fabric of their community.

The beach parks — Makapuu, Kaupo, Kaiona and Waimanalo — are also on lands owned by DHHL. City parks on Hawaiian homelands must abide by different rules set forth by DHHL, resulting in specific restrictions against certain commercial activities.

In 2004, Resolution 04-37 was passed by the City Council, authorizing the mayor to enter into License Agreement No. 547, which transferred the management, operation and maintenance of beach parks located on Hawaiian homelands from DHHL to the city (see http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/Get/Document-5448/04-37CD1.pdf). Specific parks identified in this agreement are Waimanalo, Kaiona, Kaupo, Makapuu and Nanakuli.

Per this agreement, the city may issue commercial permits for these parks to nonprofit organizations for only community events such as country fairs, canoe regattas, music festivals, youth sports, etc., and for commercial filming activities. No other “for-profit” activities are permitted and would be a direct violation of DHHL rules.

As a result of this agreement, there are restrictions on certain city-issued permits. For example, commercial recreational stops. Any commercial tour vehicle, bus, van, etc., requires a permit to enter a city park. Currently these permits have a list of park exclusions printed directly on the permits. Kailua, Kalama, Waimanalo, Kaiona, Kaupo/Makai Pier, Makapuu and Nanakuli beach are on that list. Therefore, the current rule allowing a 15-minute grace period, which has been referenced in the past, does not apply to any of the parks listed on the permit. The current practice of loading and unloading tour groups in Waimanalo parks is already illegal.

Regarding the film industry, the Waimanalo community never had an issue with those activities in the parks. The Honolulu Film Office currently works with the city Department of Parks and Recreation when approving and issuing these permits and has done a good job of ensuring minimal impact to the public.

Amendments to Bill 8 removing any language prohibiting “film industry activities” (feature films, TV commercials and still photography for advertising) are acceptable to the community provided good management practices continue.

In closing, and in response to the Nov. 30 editorial (“Isle beaches can accommodate all,” Star-Advertiser): Waimanalo residents needs Bill 8 to ensure that the use of their beach parks will not be compromised in the future.

Bill 8 will simply codify license agreements and park rules by prohibiting all commercial activity with the exception of those activities associated with community events and the film industry.

Waimanalo is a very special and unique place, and residents just want to be able to perpetuate her beauty for generations to come.

Lisa Cates lives in Windward Oahu and is a community volunteer and advocate for the protection of Hawaii’s public and natural resources.