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Public hearing scheduled for proposed City park Shore Water Event rules

Hearing Oct. 20, 2023 at 2 p.m. for proposed rules governing events such as surf contests, canoe regattas

O‘AHU -- The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is inviting the public to participate in a hearing to express their feedback regarding proposed new rules for Shore Water Events at City parks.

Shore Water Events include activities with permitted use of coastal areas for the purpose of accessing the ocean such as: surf contests, canoe regattas, triathlons, and swim races.

This public hearing follows several outreach and coordination efforts to draft new rules balancing the general public's free access to ocean recreation, equitable use of public resources for permitted events, and DPR's ability to manage these events and resources in conjunction with other government agencies. Those efforts included a public survey, event organizer meetings, and input from the City's Shore Water Advisory Group and Honolulu City Council.

The upcoming public hearing will be available in-person and online, offering members of the public an additional opportunity to provide their feedback regarding the proposed draft of the new rules. The hearing will be held on Friday, October 20, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Those attending in-person can visit Kapolei Hale, 1000 Uluʻōhiʻa Street, Suite 312, Kapolei, Hawaiʻi 96707. The virtual meeting will be held via Zoom, and can be accessed using the following link: bit.ly/shorewaterhearing

If you are unable to attend the meeting, or wish to present additional comments by mail, written testimony can be submitted no later than Oct. 27, 2023 to Suite 309 of the above-mentioned address.

A copy of the proposed rules is also available at Suite 309 of Kapolei Hale weekdays (except holidays) from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. They are also available online at the City's Shore Water Advisory Group website, the North Shore Surf Eventwebsite, or by following this link: bit.ly/draftshorewaterrules

For the current rules (Title 19, Chapter 4, City and County of Honolulu Administrative Rules governing Shore Water Events) please visit the "Rules and Regulations" section of honolulu.gov/parks or click here.

Those attending the public hearing are urged to review both the existing and proposed new rules prior to the hearing. The proposed rules recommend a variety of changes to the existing rules including, but not limited to:

  • Modifying how applications for North Shore Surf and South Shore Surfing events are ranked, including consideration for equity of under-represented groups.
  • Shifting the North Shore Surf Calendar from a calendar year to a surf season calendar from September to May.
  • Adopting new regulations governing surfing events for the South Shore, including a cap on the total number of events along this coast.
  • Establishing a calendar for South Shore Surfing events from May to September, with exception for organized youth sports.
  • Creating an after-event report for North Shore Surf and South Shore Surfing events.
  • Maintaining the current North Shore rule that does not permit a second surf event to be held on the same day as the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational.

If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.

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