Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Park Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee forwards measure to bar commercial permits at Kohanaiki Park
Summary
A Hawaii County policy committee voted to forward Bill 138 to the full council with a favorable recommendation; the measure would amend county code to prohibit permitting commercial activity at Kohanaiki Park. Department of Parks & Recreation staff supported the change, citing past unauthorized vending.
A Hawaii County policy committee voted Wednesday to forward Bill 138 to the full County Council with a favorable recommendation, clearing the way for a countywide ban on permitted commercial activity at Kohanaiki Park.
The committee’s motion to send the bill on was made by Councilmember Inaba and seconded by Councilmember Hughes; the committee recorded eight votes in favor and one member excused. The measure, as read for the record, would amend Chapter 15, Article 2, Division 1, Section 15-20 of the Hawaii County Code (2016 edition, as amended) to state explicitly that commercial activity at Kohanaiki Park is not allowed and that a permit for such activity cannot be granted.
The change is intended to close a long-standing ambiguity in the county code that left room for differing interpretations by state film offices, county departments and local stakeholders, Inaba told the committee. "What this bill does is specifically articulate that commercial activity at Kohanaiki Park is not allowed and that a permit for such activity cannot be granted," Inaba said, adding that a local working group and community organizations reviewed and support the proposal.
Deputy Director Melissa Zamora of the Department of Parks and Recreation told the committee the department supports Bill 138. "We here at the Department of Parks and Recreation ... we do support this bill 138," Zamora said, explaining the department has received multiple requests to permit commercial activity and has at least one incident of a group commercializing without a permit. "We often have to send them a cease and desist," she said, and added that staff will review permitting processes to clarify and tighten oversight.
A councilmember asked whether the prohibition would affect vendors at existing events such as surf meets. Zamora answered that vendors would not be permitted to sell shirts or food at the park under the proposed rule. Committee members and community representatives referenced local stakeholders, including Kohanaiki Shores and cultural stewards, as having been involved in drafting or reviewing the language.
With the committee recommendation, Bill 138 now goes to the full County Council for consideration. The committee adjourned at 1:28 p.m.
