The State of Hawaii Intends To Ban Snorkeling and Diving From Kealakekua Bay

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) recently announced a new plan called the Kealakekua Steward Area. Some highlights of the plan include:

-a $5 per person fee

-prohibiting tours on weekends and holidays, or roughly one third of the year.

-banning commercial ocean activities from Honaunau

-on Jan. 1st 2018 ALLOWING ACCESS INTO KEALAKEKUA BAY ONLY VIA OUTRIGGER CANOES. THIS APPLIES TO RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS ALIKE.

While there are some good provisions in the plan such as the state taking a management position in the bay and the restoration of Ka'awaloa Village, the plan should better balance the needs of the West Hawaii community and include ocean recreation, education and appreciation.

You can view the entire plan at:

www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/ksa

We implore you to email your thoughts and questions about this plan to:

kealakekuaplan@yahoo.com

before it's too late. You have until the end of April to make your option known. The DLNR intends to begin implementation of the plan in the summer of 2009! Mahalo for your kokua!