Ask the Mayor: Who Owns Black Rock Beach?

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his staff.

Photo credit: Michael Essner, Oct. 15, 2015, 10:25 a.m.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at [email protected], 270-7855 or mail them to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Good Morning Mayor,

Q: Is Black Rock Beach owned by the County, or by a resort? I visited last week and I was extremely disturbed by the abuse I witnessed of the turtles in the area. While snorkeling, I saw visitors grab turtles, try to pet them, and one person even tried to grab a turtle by its shell in an attempt to swim with it. I think if signage was more prominent, and included the fines people would pay if caught, it might deter some people from this horrible behavior. Can you help by telling me who owns the property?

A: The entire black rock beach area is owned by Kyo-Ha Hotels & Resorts LP, which shows a mailing address in Waikīkī. However, the shoreline up to the high water mark in the ocean where you most likely witnessed the violations is under the jurisdiction of the State of Hawaiʻi, Department of Land and Natural Resources.

According to the state Division of Aquatic Resources, any sea turtle disturbance should be reported to the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement Hotline: 1-800-853-1974 and then call DLNR, Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement’s statewide hotline: 643-DLNR (3567). Here is a link to DLNR with more information.