“They reported no problems,” DLNR Communications Director Dan Dennison said Monday. Overtourism, out of control real estate prices and so many people moving here have really impacted the quality of life for residents.”ĭLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers were monitoring Saturday’s activities and educating a few individuals about alcohol possession. “Wealthy oceanfront property owners putting up walls, gates and seawalls to keep out the public. The hotels filling the beaches with chairs and umbrellas crowding out the locals,” Nishiki said via email. “All over Hawaii you see these conflicts on our beaches and shorelines outsiders moving here and trying to restrict access to these public areas. “This ‘aina is what our teenagers need and I can speak to that as I am a high school Hawaiian history and sustainability teacher,” he added.Ī handful of local residents shared that view, too, with some telling The Maui News on Monday that Saturday’s gathering is part of an ongoing fight for continued beach access for recreation and cultural practices, which have been overrun by hotel properties and luxury homes. He said he was happy to involve his daughter in something with family ties - Aiwohi’s grandpa grew up fishing and diving in the area, from Namalu Bay all the way up to Honokohau, where they lived. Family-oriented, aloha first, standing firm and watching out for one another.” “The feeling with all the other protesters was just like it was another aloha ‘aina rally. “We stayed about four-and-a-half hours and I felt a sense of peace being part of a large movement with all these strangers who had the same idea of protest in mind,” he said Sunday night. Maui resident Ka’apuni Aiwohi said there were more people at Cliff House on Saturday afternoon than anticipated when he arrived with his 8-year-old daughter to join the movement.Īt peak time, he estimated there could have been nearly 150 people, many of whom were in their late teens and early 20s. “Additionally, DLNR is aware of social media postings encouraging the public to rally at Hawea Point.” “The DLNR is aware of the concerns raised by the community through the news and social media and will investigate to determine if any Conservation District use violations by private property owners in the area of Hawea Point have occurred,” the department said. The allegedly fake signs placed at the swimming spot described it as the “Namalu Bay Nature Preserve” and prohibited music, stereos and boomboxes in the “natural sound only area.” Removing the ladder, which was not installed by the state was not illegal.” Any signs with ‘rules’ posted does not have the force of law, same with the hiring of the private security officer. “OCCL (Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands) does not have any record that any permits have been applied for. “Any land uses in the conservation district (CD), such as signs, kiosks, guard shacks, would have required a permit pursuant to Hawaii Administrative Rules 13-5,” the department said in a statement Tuesday. ![]() Though Hawea Point, which fronts the luxury resort Montage Kapalua Bay and overlooks Namalu Bay, is publicly accessed by local residents and tourists, the area contains a mix of private property, unencumbered lands regulated by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and a conservation easement used to protect the native seabird ‘ua’u kani. “I don’t know how to get people to realize that none of this is really true.” ![]() He claims that his actions thus far with the signage and security guard were to only reinforce current laws about noise pollution and underage drinking, as well as public safety, referencing the 19-year-old man who fell 30 feet off the cliffs Saturday night following the rally and was transported to the hospital in serious condition.Įither way, Yantis told The Maui News that he received numerous complaint calls over the weekend, including death threats against him and his family. They felt empowered with the truth.”Ĭalling the whole situation a “targeted attack” and an “intimidation piece” by Nishiki, Yantis said that “this drama” will pass. “Everyone was having fun and enjoying themselves like they have done for many years. “People are fed up, they feel pushed out, and tired of being treated like second-class citizens in our island home,” Nishiki said Monday night. ![]() Nearly 150 people gathered at Cliff House on Saturday following a video posted by shoreline activist Kai Nishiki, who claimed that Kapalua homeowner Jonathan Yantis hired a private security officer to “harass” visitors about noise and drinking, removed the ocean entry ladder and posted fake nature preserve signs to mimic official state signage.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |