State may consider 'next step' for contested bay activities
Kayak activities, permits still hot topics
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources may issue a request for proposals for a kayak concession at Kealakekua Bay, the agency's director says."That's going to be the next step," Director Laura Thielen said. "People have asked for a continuous presence down there. We don't have the staff to have people down there on a regular basis."
Thielen said she expected her department to host public meetings -- including informational sessions for potential concession bidders on the state procurement process -- within the next two to three months, to be followed by the review of a previous Board of Land and Natural Resources decision to allow up to four commercial kayak tour permits. When the board offered those permits several years ago, two kayak companies completed the process, were selected and awarded permits. Those are the only two companies legally operating in the bay.
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Peter Alu, whose family calls the ahupuaa in which the bay is located home, said he applied for and received a Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation permit when he acquired Ehu and Kai from his late brother in July. The permit he received applied to Keauhou and Kawaihae boat ramps; he said a DLNR official gave him verbal approval to help tourists launch kayaks from Napoopoo as well, as long as no money exchanged hands on the pier itself.
"Napoopoo wharf is considered a boat ramp and I was allowed to take my kayaks down there," Alu said.
Alu, a former police officer could not get that offer in writing, however; then he was told he could no longer do even that.
Thielen said the enforcement of the no-kayak rental rules was a byproduct of the decision to require the noncommercial landing permits for Kaawaloa.
"The real goal was to stop the inadvertent damage of the historic sites and the public health issues," she said.
The state Health Department has asked DLNR officials, informally for now, to see more action taken to prevent public health issues relating to the lack of bathroom facilities at Kaawaloa.
A concession at Kealakekua Bay would require whomever receives the permit to provide cultural and historical education, tips on how to avoid damaging the bay and the surrounding area and other kinds of outreach to kayakers, paddlers, snorkelers and other visitors, Thielen said. Keeping the area staffed daily is a requirement; Thielen said multiple kayak vendors could form a cooperative and bid as a group for the concession.
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