Kiting, windsurfing, SUP'ing, outrigger paddling, kayaking, surfing and anything else that uses a "vessel" may soon be actively banned from launching or landing along a 3000 ft. section of Kanaha State Park (Kitebeach) also known as Ka'a Point in Maui. A vessel exclusion zone has been on the books for the last 25 years but has never been enforced, until perhaps now.
The area of the vessel exclusion zone which may soon be enforced.
actionkiteboarding.net/
Largely due to the lobbying efforts of one parent, perhaps others disturbed about kiting activities in the Pro Point/fish pond area, this may come to pass. Recall the one disaffected windsurfer who managed to get kiting banned for two years off the North Shore and skegged Flash Austin. In short, this is a real threat.
More background on the current threat at: mauinow.com/2013/05/10/swim-zones-to-be-enforced-at-kaa-point-over-safety-concerns/
This is serious and should be of concern to any waterperson who has or wants to visit Maui at sometime in the future. Use zones can be created and enforced, there is no need for a blanket prohibition. First you need to get government's attention to take things to the point of starting negotiations hence this petition.
For now there is a petition campaign to be submitted to the Hawaiian State DIVISION OF BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION (DOBOR) organized by Ocean Safety Alliance, www.facebook.com/oceansafetyalliance
Titled: "State DOBOR Hawaii: Please protect ocean access at Kanaha Beach. Change the outdated rules to reflect the current use."
and is located at: [url=www.change.org/p/state-dobor-hawaii-please-protect-ocean-access-at-kanaha-beach-change-the-outdated-rules-to-reflect-the-current-use]*** CLICK HERE TO SIGN PETITION ***
It takes very little time to sign the petition, please help to keep this unique spot open to all these water interests now and into the future. Chris Levins of Adventure Sports Maui gave me a heads up on this, it is legitimate and a current threat to continued use of this area.
Thank you!
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This is really unfortunate. This is due largely by one couple with a small child who the have put at risk on several occasions at the fishpond. It really is a shame that they have not been able to resolve the issue peacefully. It will effect a percentage of overall tourists, but I am not sure if the state sees this as a significant amount. I hope I am wrong because it is a mecca for all windsports. The real issue is the fishpond, and that it is designated a swimming area. There have been plenty of cowboys coming in to do their tricks in there while people have been swimming in there, but most use the area to launch and land and do their tricks in the pro corner. By and large people have been getting along and showing respect for the families that picnic there. However, this couple has a serious bee in their bonnet to have this banned and they are armed, not with guns, but with time and letters. Several months ago there was a 20 page thread on another kite forum with them actively trying to garner support for their cause and getting loads of noses out of joint. This issue isn't going to go away. This particular couple are not long time residents, and I feel sorry for the young boy who has been used by his parents to make a point. There are netted swim zones in front of the main life guard tower that offer better swimming, still have shade, yet they refuse to use that place to swim even though it's the next beach up.
Please sign the petition if you ever want to kite at Kanaha.
Signed, i will post this on FB as well and try to get some #'s for you. PLEASE EVERYONE TAKE 2 MINUTES TO SIGN UP!!!
This is a spot that is worth saving, unfortunately it only takes one idiot to wreck your area, we have one here that does endless damage.
