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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
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For Immediate Release:
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HONOLULU— The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has installed a new buoy and signs at popular Point Panic area off the Kakaako Waterfront Park, to help improve safety by demarcating a section of nearshore waters that is reserved for body surfing, and to assist in education and enforcement efforts. The body surfing area extends out 100 yards seaward from the shoreline of the waterfront park, between the Kewalo basin seawall and Ahui Street. It is located between two popular south shore surfing spots, Kewalos and Flies (Incinerators). “We have recently installed three new signs onshore that are posted to mark the width of the body surfing zone. Today we have installed a controlled-area buoy in the water to help demarcate the seaward boundary of the area, which is set aside under law for body surfers only,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson. “The body surfing-only zone was created in 1994 to give bodysurfers a safe place to surf where there is no interaction with board surfers, who are able to surf outside this area…” “However, many board surfers continue to surf in the body surfing zone, especially during south swells. We have received reports of some injuries and near-misses that the public – and not just body surfers -- has brought to our attention,” Young said. Between June 2006 to the present, DLNR’s Enforcement division has received and investigated 17 complaints regarding surfing at Point Panic bodysurfing area. DOCARE has issued approximately 11 citations and seized several surfboards in the same time period. “This is an ongoing problem that has resulted in injuries in the past – as well as the occasional assault. We are taking action to prevent further accidents,” said Young. “We replaced the worn and hard to read signs with new ones, and now a controlled-area buoy to mark this area. We will continue with our education efforts, in tandem with checks by our enforcement officers to send the message to surfers that we are serious about safety at the Point Panic bodysurfing area,” he said. A violation of the rule is a petty misdemeanor subject to a fine of up $1,000 and/or 30 days in jail; and confiscation of the surfboard. To report a violation call the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at 587-0077. In addition to Point Panic, there are also bodysurfing-only areas in Waikiki and Makapuu, but DLNR has received fewer complaints about those areas. # # # For more information, contact:
FACT SHEET ON POINT PANIC BODY SURFING AREA 9/29/06 FACT SHEET - POINT PANIC BODYSURFING-ONLY ZONE In 1994 the Point Panic Bodysurfing area was set aside exclusively for body surfing. Body boards and board surfing are prohibited in this area. Three specially-made signs installed on land along the promenade of the Kakaako Waterfront Park establish the width and location of the body surfing area offshore. Each sign cost approximately $150. The buoy and mooring system cost approximately $500 and were deployed by Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation personnel, with permission from the U.S. Coast Guard. The signs read: “Point Panic Body Surfing Area. No Boats, Kayaks, Surfboards or Body Boards allowed. Rules strictly enforced. Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. Department of Land and Natural Resources. Hawaii Administrative Rules 13-254-14. Hawaii Administrative Rules "Point Panic ocean waters" means the portion of Kewalo ocean waters confined by the boundaries shown on Exhibit "J", June 1, 1981, located at the end of this chapter, which boundaries are described as follows: (1) Beginning at a point where the mean high water mark intersects a seaward prolongation of the west boundary of Ahui Street; (2) In a Diamond Head direction along the mean high water mark to the point where the mean high water mark intersects the west boundary of the Kewalo Basin seawall; (3) To a point one hundred yards seaward on a prolongation of the Kewalo Basin seawall; (4) In an Ewa direction on a straight line at right angles to the seaward prolongation of the Kewalo Basin seawall to a point where the line intersects a seaward prolongation of the west boundary of Ahui Street; and (5) Along a straight line in a shoreward direction to, and ending at the point of beginning. [Eff 2/24/94 ] (Auth: HRS §§200-2, 200-3,200-4) (Imp: HRS §§200-2, 200-3, 200-4) Hawaii Administrative Rules (a) No person shall operate a surfboard in the restricted area of the Point Panic ocean waters. (b) Restricted area. Handboards, without skegs, are the only wave riding board allowed in the Point Panic ocean waters, as provided in Section 13-254-13 and shown on Exhibit J, “Point Panic Ocean Waters,” dated May 12, 1998. [Eff. 2/24/94; am Sept. 10, 2001](Auth: HRS 200-2, 200-3, 200-4, 200-22, 200-24)(Imp: HRS 200-2, 200-3, 200-4, 200-22,00-24) Hawaii Administrative Rules Section 13-254-14 shall not apply to: Hawaii Administrative Rules Any person violating this part, or any rule adopted pursuant to this part, shall be fined not less than $50 and not more than $1,000 or sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both, for each violation; provided that in addition to, or as a condition to the suspension of, the fines and penalties, the court may deprive the offender of the privilege of operating any vessel, including but not limited to any thrill craft or vessel engaged in parasailing or water sledding, in the waters of the State for a period of not more than thirty days. [L 1991, c 272, pt of §2; am L 1997, c 204, §2] Hawaii Revised Statutes 199-7 About DOBOR Citizen advisory groups for small boat harbors or ocean recreation activities DLNR is seeking public participation in advisory groups to be established for the recreational small boat harbors and ocean recreation management areas. DLNR is producing two public service announcements which will refer listeners to the DLNR homepage and link to the Boating site: http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/index-orma.html |
