StarBulletin.com

Security zone created in bay for Obama


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POSTED: Friday, December 25, 2009

The Coast Guard is enforcing a temporary security zone in Kailua Bay for the duration of the Obama family's visit.

President Barack Obama, his family and some friends arrived yesterday for an 11-day stay at the same Kailua beachfront home where they stayed last year.

Coast Guard officials said that there will be no public access allowed to the waters covered by the security zone.

According to the Coast Guard, the maritime security zone includes a portion of Kailua Bay, beginning at Kapoho Point and extending westward to the shoreline at Namala Place, near the Castles surf spot. The zone also includes the adjacent Kawainui Channel beginning at Kapoho Point to a point 85 yards mauka of the North Kalaheo Avenue Bridge.

Yellow buoys will be placed on the water so mariners can see the zone, officials said.

Any person entering the zone without the permission of the Coast Guard is subject to a penalty of not more than $25,000 or a criminal charge that can result in imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine of not more than $10,000. Offending vessels may also be seized and held liable for any monetary assessments, officials said.

“;We recognize that this security zone may inconvenience some recreational users of the canal and ocean in that area,”; said Capt. Barry Compagnoni, U.S. Coast Guard captain of the port, Honolulu.