Boatyard owner responds to notice

North Shore residents rallied again yesterday morning near Black Pot Beach Park in Hanalei to wave signs and shout slogans at customers departing on Na Pali Coast boat tours.

The five-week protest stems from resumed commercial activity at a privately-owned boatyard, now serving as the center of a 20-year-old controversy over gray area in regulation rules.

The Kaua‘i County Planning Department on July 18 issued a notice to Hanalei River Boatyard owner Michael Sheehan, citing several violations of his approved special management area use permits.

The department will act “judiciously” as it pursues enforcement action based on due process, county Planning Inspector Les Milnes said.

Sheehan had 30 days to respond

to the notice or risk action that

could include steps toward permit

revocation, according to Milnes.

Yesterday afternoon, Sheehan submitted documents for review at the department that reply to several unsatisfied permit conditions, such as providing an updated client roster.

A letter to Milnes from Sheehan’s attorney Rich Wilson identifies Lady-Ann Cruises, doing business as Na Pali Explorer, and Bali Hai Charters as companies authorized under the permits to operate from Hanalei River boatyard.

“We will periodically update you as additional boat companies take up residence at the facility,” Wilson says in the letter.

Sheehan has asked planning department officials to set a date to tour the facility with him so they can address further issues related to the violation notice.

Milnes declined to comment further.

Kaua‘i police officers took statements yesterday morning from vacation renters who called authorities to the scene of the protest because of noise concerns, protester Makaala Kaaumoana said.

“We’re getting more enthusiastic,” protester Barbara Robeson said. “We’re just hoping that the administration takes action in accordance with the potential violations and that the community doesn’t have to keep coming out there.”