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Public input sought on stand-up paddle boards
By The Garden Island
LIHU‘E — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will host an informal public discussion regarding the use of stand-up paddle boards in Kaua‘i ocean waters.
The meeting will be from 7 to 8 p.m., June 10, at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria in Lihu‘e.
“In the past few years the popularity of stand-up paddle boarding on Kaua‘i, as well as other islands, has grown dramatically,” said DLNR Chair Laura Thielen in a state news release. “The number of complaints we receive about conflicts between stand-up paddlers and surfers, particularly in Hanalei and the Westside of Kaua‘i has grown proportionately.
“Those who engage in this new sport are exploring the boundaries and capabilities of their equipment, and surfing in the break is a natural progression,” she said. “Surfers have, for generations, enjoyed almost exclusive use of surf spots throughout the islands. Over the course of their long history, surfers have established their own way of governing themselves and determining who has the right of way when catching a wave.
“It is hoped, through compromise and mutual respect, everyone who surfs the break, be it on a surfboard or paddleboard, can adhere to the same code of conduct and these conflicts can be resolved without establishing rules and regulations to separate the two user groups,” Thielen said.
“DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation will be taking the lead on hosting this first of what might be several meetings,” she said. “The department encourages all interested parties to provide their perspective on managing this resource in a way that is fair for all users.”
“At a public meeting held earlier this month on O‘ahu at Ala Moana Beach Park regarding stand-up paddleboard use, DOBOR was able to propose a solution which met agreement with both paddlers and swimmers and does not require a time-consuming rule change,” said Ed Underwood, DOBOR administrator. “We will be installing buoys within a few months to mark a zone for stand-up paddle boarders to practice in. This will allow them to share the water with swimmers and improve public safety.
“Although the issue of stand-up paddling in the lagoon at Ala Moana and paddling into a surf break seems quite different, the DOBOR feels the key to resolving the issues of these two distinct scenarios is very similar,” he said. “It will require discussions over time and a great deal of cooperation from all parties to ensure that all ocean users have fair access to our ocean waters.”
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School is disability accessible. If special needs are required, call Joseph Borden at (808) 245-8028 at least one week prior to the meeting date.
DOBOR operates and manages 20 harbors, 50 ramps, 2,122 moorings and berths and 19 piers across the state. The division works in close partnership with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard to make Hawai‘i’s nearshore waters safe, the release states.
The division is also responsible for registering all vessels in Hawai‘i which are not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard, and for regulating and permitting surf meets, canoe and yachting regattas, ocean swimming events and other ocean events with the concurrence of the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information, visit hawaii.gov/dlnr/dbor.
The meeting will be from 7 to 8 p.m., June 10, at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School cafeteria in Lihu‘e.
“In the past few years the popularity of stand-up paddle boarding on Kaua‘i, as well as other islands, has grown dramatically,” said DLNR Chair Laura Thielen in a state news release. “The number of complaints we receive about conflicts between stand-up paddlers and surfers, particularly in Hanalei and the Westside of Kaua‘i has grown proportionately.
“Those who engage in this new sport are exploring the boundaries and capabilities of their equipment, and surfing in the break is a natural progression,” she said. “Surfers have, for generations, enjoyed almost exclusive use of surf spots throughout the islands. Over the course of their long history, surfers have established their own way of governing themselves and determining who has the right of way when catching a wave.
“It is hoped, through compromise and mutual respect, everyone who surfs the break, be it on a surfboard or paddleboard, can adhere to the same code of conduct and these conflicts can be resolved without establishing rules and regulations to separate the two user groups,” Thielen said.
“DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation will be taking the lead on hosting this first of what might be several meetings,” she said. “The department encourages all interested parties to provide their perspective on managing this resource in a way that is fair for all users.”
“At a public meeting held earlier this month on O‘ahu at Ala Moana Beach Park regarding stand-up paddleboard use, DOBOR was able to propose a solution which met agreement with both paddlers and swimmers and does not require a time-consuming rule change,” said Ed Underwood, DOBOR administrator. “We will be installing buoys within a few months to mark a zone for stand-up paddle boarders to practice in. This will allow them to share the water with swimmers and improve public safety.
“Although the issue of stand-up paddling in the lagoon at Ala Moana and paddling into a surf break seems quite different, the DOBOR feels the key to resolving the issues of these two distinct scenarios is very similar,” he said. “It will require discussions over time and a great deal of cooperation from all parties to ensure that all ocean users have fair access to our ocean waters.”
Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School is disability accessible. If special needs are required, call Joseph Borden at (808) 245-8028 at least one week prior to the meeting date.
DOBOR operates and manages 20 harbors, 50 ramps, 2,122 moorings and berths and 19 piers across the state. The division works in close partnership with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard to make Hawai‘i’s nearshore waters safe, the release states.
The division is also responsible for registering all vessels in Hawai‘i which are not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard, and for regulating and permitting surf meets, canoe and yachting regattas, ocean swimming events and other ocean events with the concurrence of the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information, visit hawaii.gov/dlnr/dbor.
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