September 18, 2012
Residents have say in mixing recreation and business
After a new law went into effect banning some commercial activity at Kailua and Kalama Beach Parks, the city is now asking residents what kinds of businesses can operate at the hundreds of other parks around Oahu.
Hawaii's parks provide many different activities for thousands each and every day, but city planners want to know what future activities should be allowed.
"The mothers that are strolling out there with their babies, that's fine. The tennis and surfing instructors, that's fine. What's not fine is people that want to sell alcohol in front of the zoo or trinkets to tourists," said Nancy Manali-Leonardo.
Many island businesses currently rely on commercial activities at Oahu's beaches or parks.
"I'm concerned with the city permitting for commercial filming because it may directly affect my wedding business," said Susan O'Donnell, with Aloha Wedding Planners.
Not all business activities are created equal in the eyes of the city. A paid tai che class at the park is not a problem.
But tennis instructors said they cannot get a permit to teach a lesson.
"For a small business, I want to follow the rules, but I also want the rules to be fair for everyone," said O'Donnell.
"The City and County of Honolulu is losing out. They don't make a penny when they don't issue permits. With an expanded permitting process, an hourly fee, or any kind of fair system, the city can pay for maintenance for the parks. That's a win, win situation," said tennis instructor David Chang.
City planners want each community to determine just how much and what kind of commercial activity should be allowed at the nearly 300 city parks around Oahu.
"If they are okay with these activities, then we'll promulgate rules. Then it will become a standard that everyone can follow, even though it may vary from community to community," said Honolulu Park's Director Gary Cabato.
While commercial activity may be banned, the city does issue temporary concession contracts for non-profit events like festivals, which in the past have also included food or merchandise sales.
Cabato said there is concern that future activities like North Shore surf events, which have a huge impact both in and out of the water, will need environmental impact statements before they'll be issued permits.
Tuesday's public meeting will be held at Waialua District Park at 5 p.m. Wednesday's public meeting will be held at Kaneohe District Park at 5 p.m. Thursday's public meeting will be held at Waianae District Park at 5 p.m.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
KITV-article
September 14, 2012
Hawaii Tourism Authority becomes player in possible Bill 11 compromise
After the City Council voted to override Mayor Peter Carlisle's veto of Bill 11 on Aug. 15, all commercial activity at Kailua and Kalama beach parks came to a grinding halt.
However, large stagecoach tour buses continue to roam the residential neighborhood, providing a boost to local businesses, but frustrating longtime locals.
"People have had to deal with safety problems with tour buses, with diesel fumes and with huge hoards hordes of people crossing streets at the same time," said Chuck Prentiss, chair of the Kailua Neighborhood Board.
Thursday morning morning, a meeting was held at HTA headquarters at the Hawaii Convention Center to discuss how large tour buses could continue to bring visitors to the popular beach parks without disturbing Kailua residents. The gathering was attended by 40 to 50 people, including several representatives from tour bus companies.
"I think we're trying to find a way to find some balance in this so that everyone can feel comfortable and feel good about what's going on out there," said McCartney. "We're looking for alternatives that minimize the impact on the community, and also provide the best guest experience possible."
Councilman Ikaika Anderson, who represents Kailua and sponsored Bill 11, told KITV4 one of the ideas being floated is to find a private, commercially zoned lot where stagecoach tour buses could park, and then ferry tourists to Kailua and Kalama beach parks in less cumbersome vehicles. Anderson was among those who attended the HTA meeting.
"I think it's a reasonable solution if we're looking at vehicles that would take tourists in decent numbers, 15 to 25 at a time, to get to where they're going," said the councilman. "I have been talking to people in my community to let them know that we do need to be mindful of our neighborhood businesses, while at the same time protecting the rights and the comfort of our Kailua residents."
Still, Prentiss doesn't believe residents who fought over a year to pass Bill 11 would be agreeable to any compromise that allows large tour buses to continue roving through Kailua streets.
"They could offload the tourists at the Pali Lookout if they want to and walk down, and it'll still be illegal," he said. "If it's part of an organized tour, then it's not legal."
But Anderson rejects any notion that Bill 11 was meant to control commercial activity outside of the two beach parks. He said all of the testimony and debate leading up to passage of the measure focused on regulating for-profit activities inside the popular areas, which had become unmanageable because of kayak rentals and other ventures.
"Anyone who tells you that the intent of the bill was to prevent commercial activity around the beach park and all over Kailua are severely misguided," said Anderson.
Kaneohe Ranch, which manages real estate owned by the family trusts of Harold K.L. Castle and Alice H. Castle, already allows stagecoach buses to park at an empty lot on Hekili Street, but visitors are forced to walk and many never make it to the beach.
Parks and Recreation Director Gary Cabato said any compromise that allows tourists to walk into the two beach parks on their own would not be a violation of Bill 11, as long as smaller vehicles that ferry visitors to the areas remain outside park boundaries.
Meanwhile, Bob Twogood, owner of Twogood Kayaks Hawaii in Kailua, said his business has dropped significantly after the commercial ban at the two beach parks began last month. Before the bill took effect, Twogood's 14 workers used to deliver kayaks to the water's edge, but no longer.
"I've laid-off over half my staff to this point, and we'll see how it goes over the next couple of months whether I have to lay off even more," he said.
Twogood said any compromise that takes the interests of businesses, tour bus operators and residents into account, is a good start.
"I think it's a really good move in the right direction," he said.
But McCartney said any solution could be weeks, or even months away.
"I think we have our work cut out for us, we still have a lot of work to do," he said.
Hawaii Tourism Authority becomes player in possible Bill 11 compromise
After the City Council voted to override Mayor Peter Carlisle's veto of Bill 11 on Aug. 15, all commercial activity at Kailua and Kalama beach parks came to a grinding halt.
However, large stagecoach tour buses continue to roam the residential neighborhood, providing a boost to local businesses, but frustrating longtime locals.
"People have had to deal with safety problems with tour buses, with diesel fumes and with huge hoards hordes of people crossing streets at the same time," said Chuck Prentiss, chair of the Kailua Neighborhood Board.
Thursday morning morning, a meeting was held at HTA headquarters at the Hawaii Convention Center to discuss how large tour buses could continue to bring visitors to the popular beach parks without disturbing Kailua residents. The gathering was attended by 40 to 50 people, including several representatives from tour bus companies.
"I think we're trying to find a way to find some balance in this so that everyone can feel comfortable and feel good about what's going on out there," said McCartney. "We're looking for alternatives that minimize the impact on the community, and also provide the best guest experience possible."
Councilman Ikaika Anderson, who represents Kailua and sponsored Bill 11, told KITV4 one of the ideas being floated is to find a private, commercially zoned lot where stagecoach tour buses could park, and then ferry tourists to Kailua and Kalama beach parks in less cumbersome vehicles. Anderson was among those who attended the HTA meeting.
"I think it's a reasonable solution if we're looking at vehicles that would take tourists in decent numbers, 15 to 25 at a time, to get to where they're going," said the councilman. "I have been talking to people in my community to let them know that we do need to be mindful of our neighborhood businesses, while at the same time protecting the rights and the comfort of our Kailua residents."
Still, Prentiss doesn't believe residents who fought over a year to pass Bill 11 would be agreeable to any compromise that allows large tour buses to continue roving through Kailua streets.
"They could offload the tourists at the Pali Lookout if they want to and walk down, and it'll still be illegal," he said. "If it's part of an organized tour, then it's not legal."
But Anderson rejects any notion that Bill 11 was meant to control commercial activity outside of the two beach parks. He said all of the testimony and debate leading up to passage of the measure focused on regulating for-profit activities inside the popular areas, which had become unmanageable because of kayak rentals and other ventures.
"Anyone who tells you that the intent of the bill was to prevent commercial activity around the beach park and all over Kailua are severely misguided," said Anderson.
Kaneohe Ranch, which manages real estate owned by the family trusts of Harold K.L. Castle and Alice H. Castle, already allows stagecoach buses to park at an empty lot on Hekili Street, but visitors are forced to walk and many never make it to the beach.
Parks and Recreation Director Gary Cabato said any compromise that allows tourists to walk into the two beach parks on their own would not be a violation of Bill 11, as long as smaller vehicles that ferry visitors to the areas remain outside park boundaries.
Meanwhile, Bob Twogood, owner of Twogood Kayaks Hawaii in Kailua, said his business has dropped significantly after the commercial ban at the two beach parks began last month. Before the bill took effect, Twogood's 14 workers used to deliver kayaks to the water's edge, but no longer.
"I've laid-off over half my staff to this point, and we'll see how it goes over the next couple of months whether I have to lay off even more," he said.
Twogood said any compromise that takes the interests of businesses, tour bus operators and residents into account, is a good start.
"I think it's a really good move in the right direction," he said.
But McCartney said any solution could be weeks, or even months away.
"I think we have our work cut out for us, we still have a lot of work to do," he said.
Friday, September 7, 2012
KITV-article
September 7, 2012
Tour buses and vans crowd Kailua Neighborhood
A new city law took effect banning tour buses from Kailua and Kalama beach parks.
Since then, the buses have inundated Kailua Beach Shopping Center, which many nearby residents say causes traffic jams and a safety hazard which has gotten exponentially worse.
"The latest incidents include buses stopping in the Kailua Beach Center and literally stopping on the roads and backing traffic up," said frustrated resident Fred Hemmings. "We want to maintain the residential neighborhood and not turn into Waikiki."
The residents say the tour buses and vans have increased traffic in a primary residential neighborhood. They say larger buses pull over on the side of the narrow road, causing drivers to go into oncoming traffic to get around them. In addition, frustrated Kailua homeowners say letting off dozens of tourists on a busy road creates a dangerous situation.
"You have buses, children walking, bikers and cars. It occurs in this one spot right now and it is too dangerous." said State representative Cynthia Thielen. "People are working together to find a solution before we have a tragedy,"
Residents hope they, along with the city and the owners of the shopping center can come to a compromise soon about the buses. In the meantime, many residents will be staging a protest Saturday morning near the beach center to get their concerns heard.
Tour buses and vans crowd Kailua Neighborhood
A new city law took effect banning tour buses from Kailua and Kalama beach parks.
Since then, the buses have inundated Kailua Beach Shopping Center, which many nearby residents say causes traffic jams and a safety hazard which has gotten exponentially worse.
"The latest incidents include buses stopping in the Kailua Beach Center and literally stopping on the roads and backing traffic up," said frustrated resident Fred Hemmings. "We want to maintain the residential neighborhood and not turn into Waikiki."
The residents say the tour buses and vans have increased traffic in a primary residential neighborhood. They say larger buses pull over on the side of the narrow road, causing drivers to go into oncoming traffic to get around them. In addition, frustrated Kailua homeowners say letting off dozens of tourists on a busy road creates a dangerous situation.
"You have buses, children walking, bikers and cars. It occurs in this one spot right now and it is too dangerous." said State representative Cynthia Thielen. "People are working together to find a solution before we have a tragedy,"
Residents hope they, along with the city and the owners of the shopping center can come to a compromise soon about the buses. In the meantime, many residents will be staging a protest Saturday morning near the beach center to get their concerns heard.
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