LIHU‘E – Many Hanalei residents are frustrated by commercial activities of a 160 foot yacht anchored in Hanalei Bay. The large ship, called the Karima, is a private charter. Members of Hui Ho’omalu i ka ‘Aina, a taro root organization
LIHU‘E – Many Hanalei residents are frustrated by commercial activities of a 160 foot yacht anchored in Hanalei Bay.
The large ship, called the Karima, is a private charter. Members of Hui Ho’omalu i ka ‘Aina, a taro root organization located on the North Shore, claim customers on board have been diving, water skiing and using Hanalei in many ways.
“It’s a floating hotel,” said Maka‘ala Ka‘aumoana, vice-chair of Hui Ho’omalu i ka ‘Aina and an active advocate of ecological concerns.
Hui Ho’omalu i ka ‘Aina members are calling for a rally to protest the ship’s activities Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Hanalei Pier.
Karima’s operator was given a recreational mooring permit for Hanalei by the Department of Boating and Ocean Recreation until Aug. 20. The permit is obtainable at the office.
“They have recently been allowed to tie up at our pier for fear that their straight shaft and prop launch would damage the coral if it used the Hanalei River ingress and egress,” Ka‘aumoana says in a press release.
There have been several concerns expressed by both the public and the lifeguards about the yacht as it is anchored in the center of a swimmer-friendly zone, said Ka‘aumoana.
A DOBOR spokesperson said that the ship is in no illegal situation whatsoever as the seashore is a designated area for swimmers while the sandy bottom some 60 foot away is specifically designated for such ship to drop anchor.
The area from the shoreline and out to sea comes under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
There have also been issues with the helicopter on board. While there are no FAA regulations against flying in Hanalei, there is a published advisory for aircraft to avoid Hanalei Bay, which is considered a noise sensitive area. All commercial aircraft respect this advisory, yet Karima’s helicopter has already flown up to 10 times over residents’ homes carelessly, according to Ka‘aumoana.
“We don’t mind it if they go do their things where it is considered legal, but not in Hanalei,” said Ka‘aumoana. “If we let this one happen, it will set precedence for future floating hotels to move in and ruin our beautiful bay.”
Karima has also anchored at Na Pali, Makua, Kalihiwai and Kauapea. Hui Ho’omalu i ka ‘Aina members believe that if Karima wasn’t allowed to stay in Hanalei, these other locations would be less attractive.
“We are very concerned this is setting a precedence for the commercial use of our bay as other floating hotels will no doubt want to ply their trade here,” said Ka‘aumoana.
In the press release, the Hawai‘i State Attorney General says that the State cannot make specific rules for commercial or recreational uses. While Hui Ho’omalu i ka ‘Aina members disagree, they are for now working to get specific rules for Hanalei as it is not a harbor, has no facilities for this use and is in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sanctuary, claims Ka‘aumoana.
To bring a community voice to the process, Hui Ho’omalu i ka ‘Aina has organized a rally at the pier to “Save Hanalei Bay” as an informational event with a petition and a call to action to the State elected officials to establish rules to require floating hotels to be moored in harbors only.
• Laurent Canalejas, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 241) or lcanalejas@thegardenisland.com.
