Kauai beach closure
draws protests

Queen's Bath was closed after
3 people were swept to sea

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By Anthony Sommer
tsommer@starbulletin.com

LIHUE >> A coalition of environmentalists, surfers and Hawaiian activists addressed the Kauai County Council yesterday protesting the permanent closure of Queen's Bath in Princeville last month by the County Engineer's Office.

The county parking lot and trail leading to the popular rock formation, which resembles a bathtub, was shut following an accident in which three members of the same family were swept out to sea by a series of large waves.

Skip Simpson, 44, of Halifax, Mass., drowned. His brother was rescued by a lifeguard on a jet ski. Their nephew, a Kauai resident, reached shore safely.

Yesterday, Councilman Gary Hooser offered an amendment to a draft beach access bill being considered by the County Planning Commission before it returns for a Council vote.

The amendment would prohibit the county engineer from closing access to a beach or mountain wilderness area for more than 90 days without first obtaining permission from the County Council.

Hooser received public support for the concept, but most witnesses said 90 days is far too long to wait to seek Council approval.

Bruce Pleas, a surfer who frequently speaks out against development of beach areas, said the closure of Queen's Bath sets a precedent for future mayors to close beach access to appease developers.

"Every single trail that is red dirt is dangerous when it gets wet and could be closed. Eventually, you could close every single access," Pleas said.

Former Councilman John Barretto said the existing law gives too much power to the county engineer. But he also said the 90-day closure limit is too long. He said closures should be brought to the Council within 30 days.

And he said the same consideration should be given to trails leading to mountain hunting areas. Many were closed by the sugar plantations to avoid possible lawsuits.

"More and more people feel we are losing what beach access we still have," said environmental activist Ray Chuan. "To allow the administration to close a beach access without the approval of the Council, I think that is too big a loophole (in the existing law)."

The amendment was sent to the Planning Commission. Technically, only the Planning Commission can recommend changes to the county's comprehensive zoning ordinance, which includes access issues.

There was no indication of how soon the commission would act.