Potential ban Hawaii - write them today by 2:45p!

marina c · Since 03 Apr 2006 318 Posts California/Gorge Summer Obsessed

the below subject was posted by John Brya of SBC on kiteforum.com. Thanks for bringing it to everybody's attention John! NWcrew, please help and drop a letter before 2:45p today!

The STATE of HAWAII is proposing a bill that will kill kiteboarding and windsurfing and could shut down riding from our beaches, private land or public!

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session20 ... B2091_.htm

Please write a simple e-mail stating you do not agree with this and send it to: Committee on Water & Land <testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov>
Please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing. Email sent to individual offices or any other Senate office will not be accepted.

COMMITTEE ON WATER AND LAND
DATE:
Friday, February 15, 2008
TIME:
2:45 p.m.

MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE 2.45 TODAY!

pkh · Since 27 Feb 2005 6549 Posts Couve / Hood Honored Founder

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

Onad · Fri Feb 15, 08 11:28 am

Hey, if somebody has time; Please type up a message and post it here so we can all copy & paste it by 2:45PM

I’ll try to do it, but may not have time….

marina c · Fri Feb 15, 08 11:45 am

Brya posted:
Here is a copy of the letter that I sent. Deadline for submissions is today. Be sure to include the committee and the date and time of the hearing. Email them to: testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov

Maybe also add your letters to this thread.

COMMITTEE ON WATER AND LAND
DATE: Friday, February 15, 2008
TIME: 2:45 p.m.
S.B. NO. 2091

The proposed 200 foot ban of Sailboards and Kitesurfers from surfers and swimmers would effectively kill both sports on Maui and Oahu. I vacation every year in Hawaii and will not return if this 200 foot ban in passed.
The oceans are one of nature's best treasures and should be enjoyed by many user groups and stakeholders, not just surfers.

I (Marina) also sent a letter but it was more from a media/industry professional POV.....

tonyb · Fri Feb 15, 08 12:24 pm

Here's my letter - feel free to borrow as needed. Here's the full link to the bill: (link was cut off in Marina's post):

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB2091_.htm

COMMITTEE ON WATER AND LAND
DATE: Friday, February 15, 2008
TIME: 2:45 p.m.
S.B. NO. 2091

I am concerned about the broadness of S.B. 2091 with it's proposed 200 foot ban of sailboards and kitesurfers from surfers and swimmers. If there are safety issues at certain beaches they can be mitigated without having to ban either sport. I am disappointed that the legislature is considering banning a very eco-friendly sport (we ride the wind and waves after all!!!). Surfers, swimmers, kiteboarders, and windsurfers can co-exist and the beaches should not be reserved just for one of these groups.

The bill does not clarify whether or not a kiter who is on the water would have to leave if a swimmer jumps in or a surfer paddles over. What is mechanism for enforcement? Shouldn't the bill read that a swimmer must not enter the water within 200 feet of an established kiteboarding launch point? I also think that surf boards cause more injuries to swimmers and other surfers than kiteboards or windsurfers ever have. Should surf boards be banned within 200' of swimmers?

Over the last 4 years I have traveled to Maui and Kauai two or three times a year, for one to two weeks each trip, just to go kiteboarding. If this ban passes I will spend my travel and recreation dollars in a more welcoming spot and I will not return to Hawaii.

Sincerely,
Tony Bolstad

Onad · Fri Feb 15, 08 12:34 pm

Perfect!! Thanks Tony & Marina!!! Thumb's Up

I sent my email!!

I'd sure hate to lose access to this: Sad

Bettyboarder · Fri Feb 15, 08 1:06 pm

Thanks for bring this to our attention, it would be a shame to ban kiting.

My letter is sent.

Mark · Fri Feb 15, 08 2:22 pm

Letter sent. Good catch.

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

that would be a very grave mistake to ban windsurfing and kiteboarding on maui and other islands. it would have a very serious hit on the industry that opperates on the islands.

Nak · Fri Feb 15, 08 2:48 pm

Letter sent. My version :

COMMITTEE ON WATER AND LAND
DATE: Friday, February 15, 2008
TIME: 2:45 p.m.
S.B. NO. 2091

The proposed 200 foot ban of Sailboards and Kitesurfers from surfers and swimmers would effectively kill both sports on Maui and Oahu. I vacation every year in Hawaii and will not return if this 200 foot ban in passed.
The oceans are one of nature's best treasures and should be enjoyed by many user groups and stakeholders, not just surfers.

The bill does not clarify whether or not a kiter who is on the water would have to leave if a swimmer jumps in or a surfer paddles over. What is mechanism for enforcement? Shouldn't the bill read that a swimmer must not enter the water within 200 feet of an established kiteboarding launch point? I also think that surf boards cause more injuries to swimmers and other surfers than kiteboards or windsurfers ever have. Should surf boards be banned within 200' of swimmers? Kiteboarding and Windsurfing launch points take up a very tiny fraction of available beachfront. For instance, on Kailua Beach on Oahu, the Kiteboarding launch spot takes up only about 40 meters of the beach. This 40 meters is shared with all other beach users in a friendly fashion, indeed the launch area atmosphere could be described as "Aloha Spirit".

A reasonable alternative to this bill might be to define the rules of "Right Of Way" for all water users waiting in the line up for a wave.

As a former resident of the great state of Hawaii, I urge you to abandon this onerous bill that would create such feelings of ill will in and towards Hawaii. This bill does not embrace the spirit of Aloha, it mocks that spirit. I beg you to reconsider. As an Airline pilot I, I travel to Hawaii constantly. I have always felt that Hawaii was a magical place, both the land and her people. I share that feeling with many Kamaaina and visitors. Please keep Aloha alive in Hawaii.

Mahalo for your time.

Regards,
Mike Kirnak
A330 Pilot

2:45 in what Time zone? It's only 12:45 here in Hawaii... Maybe time for more letters?

Onad · Fri Feb 15, 08 3:29 pm

Nice Nak!! Cool

Mahalo Bra!!!

metafizx · Since 15 Feb 2008 1 Posts New Member

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

hopefully because i just sent mine.

carolb · Fri Feb 15, 08 4:12 pm **I slid mine in at 2:42**

Besides taking from Tony's email, I added:

Kites and windsurfers can not fly or move without wind and need at least 10 mph of wind for the kite to stay in the sky. Once the winds reach 10 mph, the sea becomes choppy and unsafe for an inexperienced swimmer. So kiteboarders can't physically be on the water when swimmers should be and swimmers shouldn't be on the water in the choppy seas unless they are extremely experienced. It already a natural balance. In the calm morning, go swimming, when the wind picks up, go to wind sports.

There are starting to be more cases where kiteboarders are rescuing distressed swimmers. Because we can go out in bad seas, have good visibility, and can carry or drag people in, lifeguards themselves are turning to the sport. Why would you ban a sport that could save lives, is eco-friendly, and fun to watch and allow a swimmer to enter the water in dangerous conditions? Windsurfers and kiteboarders are usually seen on beaches when the yellow caution signs for rough seas are up. They can not be seen on glassy, sunbathing, windless, beaches where most people swim and where most resorts are built. It is just not physically possible. Kites need wind to stay in the air.
....

Carol

Onad · Sat Feb 16, 08 8:39 am

Great points Carol.. Thumb's Up

thealohakid · Since 09 Aug 2006 58 Posts MAUI Â

and then they are going to create a secret task force that will patrol hawaiian waters and inforce these just laws which will fund the new budget for hawaii's public schools creating a better environment for our keiki.

New government jobs now available!!!!!