KAPOLEI (HawaiiNewsNow) – For years, the City of Kapolei has set rules regarding the number of surfing and other contests that can be held on the North Shore. It is now considering introducing similar rules at popular beaches on the South Shore.
The city’s proposed rules for coastal water events would continue to cap the number of events on the North Shore for everything from surf contests to canoe regattas to triathlons and swimming events, while also balancing recreational use. , there will be a “cooling off” period between each event.
Parks and Recreation Director Laura Thielen said these rules will be extended to south shore breaks such as Waikiki, Ala Moana and Kakaako for the first time.
“We believe that the restrictions we have put in place will allow existing events to continue, but we are managing to ensure that they do not dominate the break every weekend for two consecutive months,” she said.
The proposed rules also include considering permit applications based on whether the event has equity for underrepresented groups, including on the basis of gender.
Contest organizers support fairness, but believe lawmakers should take into account the underrepresentation of women in some events.
“Less than 25 percent were women,” said Philip Kitamura, a bodysurfer from Ka Ike Mau Roa O Ke Kai Hohonu. “In that case, you will earn zero points, effectively losing two-thirds of your ranking points.”
At Friday’s public hearing on the rules at Kapolei Hale, surfers from both town and country shared concerns about ranking points based on age ability because not all surf breaks are the same.
Mahina Chillingworth of Hui O Hi Naru, which holds events at Pipeline, said: “Queens and Pipeline are two different animals, so we shouldn’t be allowed to have the same rules across the board for breaks.” he said.
Hui O Hi Naru’s David Stand Jr. said of the Pipeline event: “We’re trying to give people, whether they’re professionals or amateurs, a chance to stand on one of the world’s greatest stages.” . “What you guys are doing is tying our hands.”
“The North Shore is professional and surfs for a living. Big waves, dangerous waves,” said Ron Iwami of Friends of Kewalos. “South Shore, more for amateurs, for kids, for fun. It’s like comparing apples to oranges.”
“It should be community-based. It should be a community decision. Every part of every coast has different nuances,” Kewalo surfer Jason Sakai said.
Officials in other sports, such as bodysurfing, said the rules could give certain water sports more preferential treatment than others.
Conrad Morgan, a bodysurfer from Ka Ike Mau Loa O Ke Kai Hohonu, said at the public hearing that he strongly opposes any rule changes that include Kakaako Waterfront Park and body surfing. “It puts us at odds with the surfing community.”
Thielen said the city could adopt the rules by the end of this year, assuming there are no major changes to the proposed rules.
“We’re going to need more than just blanket rules or arbitrary rules,” Sakai said. “We need Akamai for that.”
Copyright 2023 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
