The Kaua‘i Police Department last week responded to a complaint about someone driving unlawfully on Lumaha‘i Beach, but when the officer arrived there were no vehicles on the beach, county spokeswoman Mary Daubert said. “Recently, we have had many calls
The Kaua‘i Police Department last week responded to a complaint about someone driving unlawfully on Lumaha‘i Beach, but when the officer arrived there were no vehicles on the beach, county spokeswoman Mary Daubert said.
“Recently, we have had many calls from around the island about vehicles on the beach and in each case, when the officer responded, he could not locate the vehicle,” she said.
KPD and county park rangers did not issue any citations for driving on the beach in 2008 and have not so far this year, according to county records.
Community concern over beach driving has swelled since a 38-year-old Puhi woman was seriously injured after a large truck with oversized tires ran over her while she was sunbathing Jan. 18 at Kitchens beach in Wailua.
Police at the scene arrested the driver, Kawai Watanabe, for two unrelated bench warrants.
When asked last week if there have been any charges filed related to the incident, Daubert said, “Kawai Watanabe has not been arrested yet. Police are still working on the investigation.”
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources at press time was still checking to see if its Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement had issued any citations for driving on the beach in the past year.
• Nathan Eagle, interim managing editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com
