We received notification on Thurs., Feb. 28 that the House Finance Committee voted 15-0 in favor of HB839 with amendments, despite testimony from the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources in opposition of the bill...
This bill would provide funds to the DNLR to do a comprehensive survey of existing public beach accesses throughout the state. However, we would like it amended to also identify where ADDITIONAL rights of way are needed. That proposal will be discussed when the bill crosses over to the Senate side of the State Legislature.
After we find out which committee(s) will be assigned this bill, we'll have to provide testimony again in support of it to keep it moving forward. If it clears the Senate hearings, the amended bill will then be reviewed by both sides of the Legislature before final passage and a dollar amount is allocated for this survey.
So we still have a way to go -- but this is an important step forward in the process! Thanks to all of you who provided written testimony and made phone calls to Rep. Oshiro's office to get this bill scheduled for a hearing.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Important Hearing Weds., Feb. 27 at Capitol!
The House Finance Committee has scheduled a hearing of bill HB839 for Weds., Feb. 27 at 11 am in Room 308 of the State Capitol building. Here's the brief description of it: "Appropriates funds for the department of land and natural resources to survey and map all existing public access ways to shoreline areas."
That in itself may not sound very significant. However, we're proposing it be amended to say that the survey would also "identify where additional public rights of way are needed most, and recommend the best way for the State and counties to acquire them."
You can read more about the bill at the link below:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/hearingnotices/FIN_02-27-08_2_.htm
This bill, if amended as we are suggesting, could be a big step towards creating stronger laws to protect and improve public shoreline access, statewide!
That in itself may not sound very significant. However, we're proposing it be amended to say that the survey would also "identify where additional public rights of way are needed most, and recommend the best way for the State and counties to acquire them."
You can read more about the bill at the link below:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/hearingnotices/FIN_02-27-08_2_.htm
This bill, if amended as we are suggesting, could be a big step towards creating stronger laws to protect and improve public shoreline access, statewide!
Mucho Gracias!
Thanks to all who made our Feb. 23rd "One More Saturday Night" BAH fundraising party such a blast! The band Shakadown Street was terrific and the crowd had a fun time. And a very special mahalo to Joanna Hernandez, owner of Cisco's Cantina, for hosting the event! If you haven't been there recently, drop in -- the food is great!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
BAH Fun-raiser in Kailua
Cisco's Cantina in Kailua and the band Shakadown Street are putting on a private party to benefit Beach Access Hawaii, Saturday, Feb. 23, from 9:30 PM until midnight. Deadheads and Beach-heads unite!
We'll also be taking orders for Ben Mon's custom-made "Free Beach Access" and "No Gates" t-shirts that folks were wearing at the Groundhog Day rally -- see photos of his shirts on our Flickr link (right hand side of page - scroll down). Even if you can't make it this Saturday night, stop in for drinks and ono grinds at Cisco's when you're in Kailua Town! For more info, visit their web site at www.ciscoscantina.com.
We'll also be taking orders for Ben Mon's custom-made "Free Beach Access" and "No Gates" t-shirts that folks were wearing at the Groundhog Day rally -- see photos of his shirts on our Flickr link (right hand side of page - scroll down). Even if you can't make it this Saturday night, stop in for drinks and ono grinds at Cisco's when you're in Kailua Town! For more info, visit their web site at www.ciscoscantina.com.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
One gate at a time...
Our long term goal is to have the State and counties enact stronger laws to improve public beach access. But short term, we're hoping that our neighbors on private and public streets with gates will voluntarily follow the lead of homeowners on Kai Nani Place in Kailua, who are leaving their gate unlocked.
We owe our sincere thanks to them and Rep. Cynthia Thielen, who lives on that street, for doing what they believe is the right thing for our community. Now it's up to us to show them we respect their concerns by helping keep that street free of litter, noise and vandalism. If you see anyone abusing the courtesy they have extended to us, please report it immediately and notify the residents.
Let's set an example for the other gated road homeowners that a little aloha goes a long way! Mahalo to our friends on Kai Nani. One gate is open... but many more remain locked all over the island.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Submit Your Testimony!
We have hearings on at least three bills scheduled for Friday, Feb. 15, beginning at 2:45 pm in Room 414 of the State Capitol Building. (415 South Beretania Street)
View the full text of SB 2835 and SB 3189 and SB 2836.
Please make your voices heard and votes count by preparing and submitting timely testimony by Thursday at the latest. If you can attend the hearing, do so. The committee members appreciate personal appearances, so they can obtain answers to questions generated by your written testimony.
Please download the Flyer for reference points in your testimony and read the other posts on this page. (Link has been updated to the correct file on Feb 14, noon HST.)
COMMITTEE ON WATER AND LAND
Senator Clayton Hee, Chair | Senator Russell S. Kokubun, Vice Chair
SB 2835 - RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS.
Requires state and county agencies to ensure that a public right-of-way is available prior to the approval of any development project, subdivision, or zoning change. Modifies definitions of "public recreational area."
SB 2836 - RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS.
Modifies definitions of "public recreational area" and the offense of obstructing access to public property; defines "public right-of-way."
SB 3189 - RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS.
Requires owners of privately owned shoreline access paths to keep access to the shoreline open to the public, at minimum, from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Submit testimony in one of the following ways at least 24 hours prior to the hearing:
- In person: 1 copy of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 228, State Capitol.
- By fax: Testimony may be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. When faxing, please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing.
- By Email: Testimony may be emailed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Legislature's Public Access Room at testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov. Please indicate to which committee (Committee on Water and Land) 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.
View the full text of SB 2835 and SB 3189 and SB 2836.
Please make your voices heard and votes count by preparing and submitting timely testimony by Thursday at the latest. If you can attend the hearing, do so. The committee members appreciate personal appearances, so they can obtain answers to questions generated by your written testimony.
Please download the Flyer for reference points in your testimony and read the other posts on this page. (Link has been updated to the correct file on Feb 14, noon HST.)
COMMITTEE ON WATER AND LAND
Senator Clayton Hee, Chair | Senator Russell S. Kokubun, Vice Chair
SB 2835 - RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS.
Requires state and county agencies to ensure that a public right-of-way is available prior to the approval of any development project, subdivision, or zoning change. Modifies definitions of "public recreational area."
SB 2836 - RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS.
Modifies definitions of "public recreational area" and the offense of obstructing access to public property; defines "public right-of-way."
SB 3189 - RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCESS.
Requires owners of privately owned shoreline access paths to keep access to the shoreline open to the public, at minimum, from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Submit testimony in one of the following ways at least 24 hours prior to the hearing:
- In person: 1 copy of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 228, State Capitol.
- By fax: Testimony may be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. When faxing, please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing.
- By Email: Testimony may be emailed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Legislature's Public Access Room at testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov. Please indicate to which committee (Committee on Water and Land) 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.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
A Whirlwind Week of Action...
As reported in our weekly email update, lots happening in the aftermath of the Groundhog Day rallies: one gate has been voluntarily opened by homeowners on a private beachside lane in Kailua... the hidden 911 beach access sign we alerted the press to, has been moved by the City... and the State Legislature has scheduled hearings on at least three bills related to public beach access.
Also, on Sat., Feb. 9, State Sen. Clayton Hee held a press conference in conjunction with the newly-formed Ko'olauloa-North Shore Alliance, which includes many of the same groups that united for G-Day 2008, to present bills calling for the acquisition of undeveloped land around the Turtle Bay Resort and Ka Iwi coastline.
Preserving open space is an integral part of protecting shoreline access for the people of Hawaii. Beach Access Hawaii is proud to be part of the new alliance, and we'll keep you posted on those proposals as well.
The hearing on Sen. Gary Hooser's bills will be on Fri., Feb. 15, 2:45 PM at the State Capitol building. SB283 requires state and county agencies to ensure that a public right-of-way is available prior to the approval of ANY development project, subdivision, or zoning change. This also applies to residential construction work on beachfront homes.
We're still pushing hard for a hearing on Rep. Lyla Berg's bill that would mandate public rights-of-way for every quarter mile of beach on all islands. Stay tuned for breaking news on that and other bills we're tracking!
Also, on Sat., Feb. 9, State Sen. Clayton Hee held a press conference in conjunction with the newly-formed Ko'olauloa-North Shore Alliance, which includes many of the same groups that united for G-Day 2008, to present bills calling for the acquisition of undeveloped land around the Turtle Bay Resort and Ka Iwi coastline.
Preserving open space is an integral part of protecting shoreline access for the people of Hawaii. Beach Access Hawaii is proud to be part of the new alliance, and we'll keep you posted on those proposals as well.
The hearing on Sen. Gary Hooser's bills will be on Fri., Feb. 15, 2:45 PM at the State Capitol building. SB283 requires state and county agencies to ensure that a public right-of-way is available prior to the approval of ANY development project, subdivision, or zoning change. This also applies to residential construction work on beachfront homes.
We're still pushing hard for a hearing on Rep. Lyla Berg's bill that would mandate public rights-of-way for every quarter mile of beach on all islands. Stay tuned for breaking news on that and other bills we're tracking!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Groundhog Day Rallies a Huge Success
It was full-on winter today, with cloudy skies, rain, and cold windy weather. But that didn't stop our supporters from turning out in droves! Check out these links for G-Day coverage around the entire state:Kahea Foundation's Blog
KHNL News Coverage
"In 1995 the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled native Hawaiians have "gathering and cultural rights on private property" in Public Access Shore Hawaii (PASH) vs. Hawaii County Planning Commission. The high court added, "Hawaiian custom and usage have always been a part of the laws of this state."
KGMB News Coverage
"Members of 20 grassroots organizations held beach access rallies across the state today." Video coverage provided here.
KHON News Coverage
"Members of 20 grassroots organizations held beach access rallies across the state today."
Honolulu Advertiser article by William Cole
"Although Beach Access Hawai'i said the state Supreme Court repeatedly has upheld the public's right to use beaches, getting to them has gotten increasingly complicated."
Star-Bulletin Editorial in Favor of More Action to Save Beach Access
"By and large, staving off further erosion has become the work of citizens and organizations who have learned the ins and outs of laws and regulations, petitioned government, gone to court or just stood, holding signs along roads and at harbors, as they did in rallies across the state yesterday."
See Photos at Flickr (And add us a contact please!)
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