#Jonathan Yantis

After jurisdiction at popular swimming spot Hāwea Point got a bit murky, Hawaiʻi Land Trust weighed in today, clarifying that a rule protects public use over a private homeowner’s attempts to encroach on the area. Further, the land trust said it requested that the homeowner’s private security guard no longer be situated at Cliff House, the rocky shoreline where people sunbathe, swim and jump.

Questions over shoreline access and public versus private jurisdiction have bubbled to the surface in a controversy that pits a wealthy blockchain entrepreneur against many who frequent popular swimming spot Cliff House in Kapalua. Maui shoreline activist Kai Nishiki via social media Wednesday alerted residents that neighboring mansion-owner Jonathan Yantis allegedly cut down the Cliff House ladder, erected misleading nature preserve signs about native birds and hired a private security officer to “harass” people about noise, drinking and music.