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Monday, March 20, 2000



IN AND AROUND THE CAPITOL

Tapa

Hawaii State Seal

Bill to allow commercial use
of Ala Wai, Keehi harbors
sparks concern

By Rosemarie Bernardo
Star-Bulletin

Tapa

The Senate Economic Development Committee on Wednesday will tackle a bill that would allow commercialization of two boat harbors, one regularly used by canoe paddlers, surfers and recreational motor boats.

The committee deferred decision-making on House Bill 2571, House Draft 1, at a Friday hearing attended by more than 50 opponents.

The bill would allow commercial-use activities at Ala Wai and Keehi harbors.

Testifiers expressed their worries about traffic, noise and safety at Ala Wai harbor.

Jessica Young, canoe paddler, said they currently have to steer around kayakers, fishing boats and sailors.

"I cannot imagine what it would be like if you allow commercial cruise ships, large recreational vessels and fishing charters to also use the Ala Wai Harbor," said Young, 15, who regularly paddles in the Ala Wai Canal.

Richard Stephenson, resident in the Ala Wai area, said: "There's very few pieces of paradise left in Waikiki. This is one of the last ones."

"It's taking public land away from the people," he said.

Rep. Galen Fox said the bill "takes Waikiki down instead of up."

"It makes our area worse, not better," said Fox (R, Waikiki).

Katherine Kim, who surfed in the Ala Wai area for 10 years, said, "In Waikiki, Ala Wai is the only place where we can park for free, where we can hang out for free."

The Wednesday meeting will be at 4 p.m. in Conference Room 224 at the state Capitol.


Get involved

You can track bills, hearings and other Legislature action via:

Bullet The Legislative Reference Bureau's public access room, state Capitol, room 401. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Phone: 587-0478; fax, 587-0793; TTY, 538-9670.

Neighbor islanders, call toll-free and enter ext. 70478 after the number:

Big Island, 974-4000; Maui,

984-2400; Kauai, 274-3141;

Molokai and Lanai, 468-4644.

Bullet The state's daily Internet listing of hearings: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov

Bullet The Legislature's automated bill report service: 586-7000.

Bullet The state's general Web page: http://www.state.hi.us

Bullet Our Web site: https://archives.starbulletin.com




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