STAND-UP PADDLE BOARD USE AT ALA MOANA TO BE DISCUSSED

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will host an informal discussion regarding the use of stand-up paddle boards within the ocean waters of Ala Moana Beach Park.  The meeting is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in McCoy Pavilion on the grounds of Ala Moana Beach Park on O’ahu.

“In the past year the popularity of stand-up paddle boarding in Hawai’i has grown dramatically,” said DLNR chairperson Laura H. Thielen.  “This is very apparent in the calm waters inside the reef at Ala Moana Beach Park.  The conditions in this waterway are ideal for beginners. However, a rapid proliferation of paddleboards may be causing overcrowding and user conflicts in an area that historically has been used as a swim zone.

“The department is seeking public input on solutions to this potential problem before user conflicts become serious.  We wish to thank the City and County’s Ocean Safety staff for their cooperation as we work through this multi-jurisdictional issue,” said Thielen.

“DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation will be taking the lead on hosting this meeting.  The department encourages all interested parties to provide their perspective on managing this resource in a way that is fair for all users,” Thielen added.

The Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation operates and manages 20 harbors, 50 ramps, 2,122 moorings and berths and 19 piers across the state. The division works in close partnership with DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard to make Hawai’i’s nearshore waters safe. The division is also responsible for registering all vessels in Hawai’i which are not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard and for regulating and permitting surf meets, canoe and yachting regattas, ocean swimming events and other ocean events with the concurrence of the U.S. Coast Guard.

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009; Information provided by Hawaii DLNR)