LIHU‘E — To date, the Kaua‘i Police Department has issued nearly 60 citations for breaking state and local stay-at-home orders. Of these, 15 have been to beachgoers.
Spending time on the beach to sunbathe, picnic or hang out are explicitly against mandates enacted to restrict movement to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
County-owned parks and beaches remain open for limited outdoor exercise activity, and that’s had an effect on the number of beachgoers.
In April 2019, 150,856 visitors went to county-beaches. In the past two weeks, there have only been 10,187 visitors to lifeguarded beaches, reported Kalani Vierra, Kaua‘i Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau Chief.
“So, the number has dropped a lot since the COVID-19 pandemic started,” Vierra wrote in an email Monday afternoon.
The drastic drop in beachgoers, along with stay-at-home orders and quarantines, can also be chalked up to the substantial drop in tourists coming onto the island. For non-Hawai‘i residents, beaches require paid day-use permits and parking passes.
Vierra said beach enforcement remains at its regular staffing levels, with some personnel working from home.
The department follows social-distancing practices and requires staffers to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), but those only allow for protection when on land.
“Our biggest concern is, if we have to swim out to rescue someone in distress … our PPE only protects us when onshore,” Vierra said.
Beaches remain open for exercise, like walking, running, biking, surfing and swimming, according to county statements.
“Lounging and or sunbathing on the beach or in a park does not constitute exercise,” one press release reads.
On a quiet Wednesday afternoon at Lydgate Beach Park, Ocean Safety Officer Kainoa Lum said he’s mostly seen surfers and elderly couples walking along the paths.
As of Tuesday, the KPD has doled mostly citations for breaking curfews. The KPD has also arrested three people for violating the state’s 14-day quarantine order which went into effect on Mar. 26. In Honolulu, police have issued over 300 stay-at-home violation citations and over 4,600 warnings as of Monday.
“Our officers are conducting routine patrols in all locations around the island,” a spokesperson for the KPD said. This includes island-wide checkpoints and responding to tips of rule-breaking.
Quarantine and stay-at-home violations can result in a misdemeanor with fines up to $5,000 and/or up-to one year in prison.
“During this uncertain time, we encourage all beachgoers to stay at home and follow the stay-at-home rule issued by our Mayor,” Vierra reiterated. “When in doubt, don’t hang out.”
