The first gate put up in Kailua Beach was this one on Dune Circle. A founding member of Beach Access Hawaii told me her family lived there back in the 1960s and 70s, but decided to move after that gate went up over her parents' objections. It should be noted that when Kailua was first developed, all the beach lanes were open for neighbors to use.
But after Dune Circle homeowners erected this ugly monstrosity, it set off a chain reaction. As neighbors began using beach paths to the left and right of Dune Circle, residents on those roads followed suit with their own gates and "No Trespassing" signs. I don't think it was a coincidence that during the same time period many local owners were bought out by Mainland people, who didn't have the same attitude about sharing the ocean. They lacked aloha then, and lack it now.
Unfortunately, I have more than enough Kailua gates alone to fill up the 12 Gates of Christmas theme. I could even add "Gates of Christmas Past" since there are over 17 gated roads in Kailua at present. However, I intend to post a few gate pictures from East Oahu as well to share the joy of Christmas in Hawaii, where public beaches are becoming semi-private playgrounds for the rich and tourists!
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