> Tell the State how important
Kealakekua Bay is to you

Help Us Keep Kealakekua Bay Accessible and Healthy

What’s Happening:

Hawaii State has pulled the permits of kayaking companies in Kealakekua Bay and is considering shutting down all activities on the bay.

As it stands today, the state has denied all kayaking permits in Kealakekua Bay after they expire at the end of December as officials consider ways to better regulate commercial activity in the area.

The state has refused to answer any questions in regard to the scope of the closures.

Will this close down the bay to ANY and ALL activity?
Will anyone be able to launch anything from Napo’opo’o pier?
Will anyone be able to access Ka’awaloa by kayak, craft, or trail?
How will boats like zodiacs and larger crafts be affected by this?

“The Department of Land and Natural Resources, citing concerns about impacts to Kaawaloa, compliance and under-reporting of commercial activities, as well as worries about public safety, has issued a de facto ban on kayak tours in Kealakekua Bay, starting next year.” Erin Miller, West Hawaii Today

“[The] plan is not finalized yet. I’m not going to comment on any of that. The attorneys are looking at something right now. At the appropriate time, we’ll make the announcement on the overall plan. We’re working on it.” Chairman William Aila as quoted in West Hawaii Today

Why It Matters:

A ban would affect thousands of visitors and locals yearly who kayak and snorkel in Kealakekua Bay If permitted, regulated kayaking in the bay is terminated we have concerns that:

Both Kealakekua Bay and people visiting it will be put at greater risk of damage or injury as people find some other way to access the bay, without first getting the education and safety briefings they currently receive from licensed operators. Damage to the bay’s coral system would take generations to heal.
Visitors and locals alike will be unable to enjoy this culturally important and naturally wonderful place.
Businesses and the community in the area will be heavily negatively impacted. Tourism at Kealakekua Bay is a primary revenue generator for the state, the county, and the towns involved.

What You Can Do:

Give us your thoughts to personally share with the BLNR. Whether you are a resident, part-time resident, or past/future visitor to Kealakekua Bay, your opinion matters!

Click on this link to email your thoughts, however brief or long, to Adaline Cummings, Land Board Secretary. This will submit your thoughts to the state to be read as testimony for the Nov. 30 BLNR meeting.

To: adaline.f.cummings@hawaii.gov
Cc: info@konaboys.com
Subject: Kealakekua Bay Activities Issue

[Your thoughts here]

Kona Boys will be presenting our testimony and yours at a hearing on this issue at the November 30^th Board of Land and Natural Resources meeting in Honolulu on Oahu.

We will state our desire to continue to be part of the solution. We hope to advocate for renewing our permits, not terminating Kealakekua Bay access, and enforcing existing laws related to kayaking in Kealakekua Bay and Ka’awaloa.

We really want to present your thoughts and our own to equip the decision-makers with the best ideas and information possible.

If you care about the future of accessing Kealakekua Bay, its health, and the future of Kona Boys and other local businesses, please let the BLNR know how you feel about this.

More Information

Who’s Involved:

Department of Land and Natural Resources

William Aila
DLNR Chairman
Office: 808-587-0400
E-mail: william.j.aila@hawaii.gov

Dan Quinn
State Parks Administrator
Office: 808-587-0290
E-mail: dlnr@hawaii.gov

Curt Cottreell
DLNR Spokeswoman
Parks Division Deputy Administrator

Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320

Board of Land & Natural Resources

Adaline Cummings
Land Board Secretary
1151 Punchbowl Street, Suite 130
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
adaline.f.cummings@hawaii.gov
Phone: 808-587-0404
Fax: 808-587-0390

Rob Pacheco
Hawaii Island’s Land Board Representative

State of Hawaii Governor’s Office
Neil Abercrombie
Governor, State of Hawai’i
Executive Chambers, ?State Capitol
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: 808-586-0034
On Facebook
On Twitter

Barbara Dalton
Governor’s Representative
808-327-4953

Timeline:

August 21: DLNR submits exhibit to the Board of Land and Natural Resources stating kayak tours in Kealakekua Bay not negatively impacting Kaawaloa
September 14: Hawaii Pack and Paddle kayak permit terminated by the BLNR
Hawaii News Now Coverage
Big Island Video News Coverage
September 17: Received letter (dated September 4) telling us permits will not be renewed
September 20: Curt Cottrell says the state is considering limiting access to Kealakekua Bay
October 5: Chairman Aila confirms Kealakekua Bay kayak tour permits will not be renewed
October 7: West Hawaii Today article “DLNR To End Kayak Tours in Kealakekua Bay“
October 10: Big Island Weekly article “Uncertain Future Ahead for Kealakekua Bay“
October 12: BLNR reconsiders and reaffirms 9/14 approval to terminate Hawaii Pack and Paddle’s permit.
November 14: Kona Boys spoke to Barbara Dalton at the Governors West Hawaii Office…She is preparing a report about the DNLR’s plan to shut down Kealakekua Bay to Kayaks that will be presented to Neil Abercrombie. If you have input or comments you can call her at 808-327-4953.
November 30: BLNR Meeting

Conversations and Comments On Kona Boys’ Facebook Page:

Work To Date on Kealakekua Bay Management

Posted November 7, 2012

Categorized In: News