In what many hope will be a symbol of more access to come, a fisherman caught a 60-pound ulua just hours after some fishing grounds were reopened to the public on the beach fronting the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range
In what many hope will be a symbol of more access to come, a fisherman caught a 60-pound ulua just hours after some fishing grounds were reopened to the public on the beach fronting the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Missile Range Facility.
As of last Saturday, Kaua‘i residents who have a PMRF-approved beach access pass and signed a new memorandum of agreement are able to fish on weekends and holidays in a special use area Navy officials have opened on the state beach from Kawaiele Ditch northwards to the southern-most windsock adjacent to the runway.
PMRF officials announced Friday that base hours for public access have changed as well. Surfers, fishermen, and other beach-goers may now spend from 6 a.m. to 30 minutes after sunset (instead of 30 minutes before sunset) at Major’s Bay seven days a week. Official sunset times will be posted at the Housing Gate at PMRF.
“We met with several community groups and fishermen to listen and understand their needs and desires, and explain to them the security measures, environmental constraints, and safety concerns that PMRF must address in a post-9/11 world,” said Capt. Jeff Connelly, PMRF commanding officer.
“These very fruitful discussions, along with the Navy’s strong desire to make fair and reasonable decisions, have resulted in policy changes that support the fishermen and beach enthusiasts in the community without compromising PMRF’s ability to support Navy training and national testing missions,” Connelly added.
“People were very excited this weekend,” said Vida Mossman, PMRF spokesperson, on Monday. She told of the 60-pound catch.
Mossman added that the new regulations came about after meetings between Connelly and the community. A few of these were at Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste’s Ka Leo O Kaua‘i meetings, and another took place about a month ago involving the commander and about a dozen Westside fishermen.
“Captain Connelly and PMRF have been an integral part of Ka Leo O Kaua‘i Kekaha meetings, from which we have established an amicable working relationship,” said Baptiste.
“As an offshoot of discussions that originated through Ka Leo O Kaua‘i, Captain Connelly began meeting with a group of fishermen to address fishing-access concerns.”
However, back in January, the Ka Leo O Kaua‘i Kekaha committee voted to take PMRF beach access off the list because the concern had been addressed, said county public information officer, Cyndi Mei Ozaki, last week. Two small-group discussions did break out at the January and February meetings, where PMRF access issues were raised.
According to Kekaha residents, Connelly was at the January and February meetings, but he did not attend the March meeting. Mossman, however, was in attendance at the March 23 meeting.
The residents said they are looking forward to more meetings with Connelly on a wide variety of PMRF issues, which would include beach access and the agricultural preservation initiative.
New rules accompany the new fishing access, while the old rules remain in effect.
On weekends and federal holidays, fishing access to this special use area will be permitted during the same hours as the Major’s Bay area. This allows PMRF security personnel to ensure the base recreation areas are clear prior to darkness.
- A maximum of 25 persons will be authorized access into the special use fishing area for the purpose of fishing on a first-come, first-served basis. If a person leaves before the access closes, the permit will be re-issued to the next fisherman, Mossman said.
- Fishing must be from the beach. Boaters, surfers, and watercraft operators — for their safety — are requested to remain outside the aircraft approach zone (an area approximately 1,500 feet either side of the runway centerline and extending 3,000 feet offshore from the approach end of the runway).
- Surfing and other non-fishing water-sport activities are not permitted in the fishing area.
- Personal gear authorized includes fishing poles, tackle boxes and coolers. Spear guns are not allowed on the base.
- Access to the special use fishing area will be from the Majors Bay parking lot only.
- Fishermen must observe state laws for fishing.
- For safety and or security purposes, fishermen within the special use fishing area must be prepared to immediately vacate the fishing area upon notification by PMRF security personnel or signaling devices.
One question will be how the new fishing regulations affect surfers at a break known as Kinikini. While surfers have been observed surfing at Kinikini Point by walking the beach to the restricted-area signs at Kawaiele and then paddling to the surf break, Mossman said she had no knowledge of that, and said she could not say whether the new regulations would affect surfing at all.
All those who wish to gain access to the fishing area and have the regular access pass just need to sign the new memorandum of agreement form. There are copies at the Kaua‘i Police Department headquarters, and forms can be signed and delivered at the PMRF Pass and Identification Office, inside the main gate, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday (except federal holidays).
Residents interested in obtaining beach-access passes should apply for a background check from the KPD Identification & Records Division, on the ground floor of the KPD headquarters in Lihu‘e.
Once it is determined by KPD officials that the applicant has no felony convictions, the certified application may be presented to representatives at PMRF’s main gate for issuance of an identification card, available Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. except federal holidays. The entire process may take seven to 10 days, Mossman said.
Access to the fishing area will be controlled by passes issued at the housing security gate. These passes will include a photo of the authorized area and a copy of the rules and regulations.
“The new hours and access to designated fishing areas expand access to PMRF to the maximum extent practicable, and are the result of the hard work of many at PMRF and within the community, particularly on the Westside of Kaua‘i,” said Connelly.
“I‘m banking on the fact that visitors to PMRF will abide by the rules, (and) treat the recreation areas and one another with the respect and care all so richly deserve.”
Staff Writer Tom Finnegan may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or mailto:tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
