Kayak tours emphasize care of nature

Visiting Hawaii's islets calls for responsibility

IT WAS a blustery weekend for Arizona couple Mary Beth and Michael Saenz to make their "virgin" kayak trip to Kailua's Mokulua islets.

Several kayak rental companies in Kailua canceled planned trips because of wind and surf. But Scott Burch of Mokulua Kayak Guides led the Saenzes to and from the islets without incident.

MORE INFO For more information about the Offshore Islet Restoration Committee and its educational materials, contact Jaap Eijzenga at 973-9788 or jaap.eijzenga@hawaii.edu.

That is if you don't count "dumping" out of the plastic ocean kayak for an unplanned swim, "but he had warned us that might happen," Mary Beth Saenz said. "It was exciting, very exciting."

Burch said knowing where to paddle in rough conditions can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a disaster in Kailua Bay.

Burch also is hoping that educational materials created by the Offshore Islets Restoration Committee will help people who visit offshore islets to behave like they are visiting a wildlife sanctuary -- because they are. The materials will tell visitors:

The new 5-by-7-inch waterproof cards with information like this will soon be on rental kayaks in Kailua, thanks to the committee, which includes representatives from wildlife agencies, conservation groups and Kailua-based commercial tour operators.

Burch, representing his company, and Steve Haumschild, manager of Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks, have been helping craft the second version of the informational cards. The first version, handed out over the past year, has worn out.

Haumschild's company has volunteered to pay for manufacture of the cards in a way that helps them survive being lashed to a heavily used ocean kayak.

Bob Twogood, owner of Twogood Kayaks Hawaii, said he looks forward to the new cards and "we'll put them on every one of our boats. It's good information to have right there."

"We knew public use was occurring on the islands and wanted to educate people, to prevent the introduction of invasive species" or harm to nesting sea birds, said Ken Foote, a spokesman for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service spokesman.

"We're trying to give ecological based information, not just rides to the islands," Haumschild said. "People are interested in learning about marine and terrestrial creatures."

Burch said he considers it a duty to be involved in protecting the resource from which he makes a living. "If we start cranking out 30-40 people a day onto these islands, that's not doing anybody any favors," he said.

At the same time, he thinks people need to see nature up close to want to protect it. "People want to see and appreciate Hawaii for what it really is, instead of a cliche visitor experience," Burch said.

Mark Shissler, an instructor with Hawaiian Water Sports, which also rents kayaks in Kailua, said he doesn't think Kailua's offshore islands are at risk of being overused -- yet.

Peter Young, director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, said he hopes efforts like those of the Offshore Islet Restoration Committee prevent that day from coming.

"There's a growing interest people have to see our state's natural and cultural resources," Young said. "But we don't want people to love things to death." Educational materials such as kayak cards or posters can guide people in proper behavior, he said.

"We want people to follow the worn trails on the islands" to avoid seabird nests, "and to take out what trash they brought in," Young said. "Basic responsibility rules."