Hawaii’s beaches are an untold treasure for visitors and residents alike. But what do you think about the picture above showing empty beach chairs blocking access on public beaches? The encroachment of commercial interests has sparked significant debate over the past couple of years, and it has come to a head in Waikiki again.
The state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has taken decisive action to ensure public access to these spaces remains paramount over commercial interests. They are enforcing new regulations aimed at curbing the practice of presetting beach chairs and umbrellas without customer presence.
Under Act 227, the fines for violating Hawaii’s beach rental equipment regulations can be substantial. The first offense is $5,000, the second offense is $10,000, and the third and subsequent offense fine is $15,000.
This law prohibits presetting of beach chairs, umbrellas, and other commercial equipment without a customer being physically present. It also requires immediate removal after use. The purpose is to keep Hawaii’s beaches focused on being accessible to the greatest number of people, both residents and visitors. All commercial activity is considered secondary to public use.
Oahu is next ground zero for beach enforcement.
Waikiki Beach, one of the state’s pinnacle tourist destinations, has been at the heart of the latest enforcement efforts. The state has just issued cease-and-desist notices to several hotels and vendors, including the Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, and Sheraton Waikiki.
Maui DLNR compliance.
On Maui, similar enforcement actions are being implemented. Vendors have been advised to comply with the regulations to prevent unauthorized occupation of beach space, and we encountered those rules when staying at Wailea Beach last month. The DLNR is continuing to monitor these areas to ensure public access is preserved.
Kauai is also addressing concerns about public beach access.
While Kauai has not seen the same level of direct enforcement as Oahu and Maui, there have been ongoing public discussions about beach access and commercialization. The principles of Act 227 apply, and the DLNR’s focus remains on balancing commercial activities with public beach access.
In 2022, Kauai Beach Boys was cited for presetting a large number of chairs and umbrellas on the beach before a giant cruise ship docked to accommodate an influx of visitors. Protesters showed up and the issue was then addressed by the Kauai Visitors Bureau.
Big Island: Future Considerations
Currently, enforcement efforts are concentrated on Oahu and Maui, but there are potential plans to expand regulations as needed throughout the state, including the Big Island. The DLNR and lawmakers are assessing the effectiveness of these rules before considering wider implementation.
Legislative and community reactions are mixed.
Public response to enforcement of the rules has already been mixed. Advocates for public access priority support the DLNR’s actions, seeing them as essential to maintaining open beaches for residents and tourists. On the other hand, vendors argue that the rules are restrictive and negatively impact their operations.
The DLNR’s commitment to enforcing Hawaii beach access for visitors and residents highlights the significance of preserving Hawaii’s beaches for public enjoyment. It is an important function of the state DLNR. As these rules continue to be applied, a balance between commercial use and public access can be achieved, ensuring that these iconic landscapes remain welcoming and accessible to everyone.
It’s wonderful that the Hawaiian government is enforcing the rules on beach access, business is unfortunately not always friendly to residents, and hotels will obviously place beach furniture right up to the high tide mark, they should be heavily fined for any infractions, which may curb the problem.
It looks as if hawaii has now gone the way of many hotels
In the caribbean/mexico, etc., sooooooooo not a good idea—-
What happened to the ‘hawaii open beaches’ concept???
We are former airline people-spent eons of time in hawaii-
Then moved there for 7 years ——hawaii itself is now killing
The tourist industry all by itself —-leave the beaches alone
What a remarkable improvement in beach access also in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Keep up the great public service. Beaches off for everyone and no commercial entity is guaranteed to make money.
Heh… Glad I’m not much of a beach type anymore, I’m more of a Ridge Runner. Did my fair share of surfing and loafing on the sand in my youth but now it just bores me to tears… Sad Jah?
Best Regards
Whatever the hotels want, the hotels eventually get. Including beach rights, it now appears.
You are correct that the hotels get what the hotels want. But this is a step in the right direction. Next limit the building of huge Timeshares mostly along Waikiki. The Hilton has covered almost every inch of ground at its premier property. The Hawaiian Village.
Let’s get the powers that be to limit this type of over development.
First off Waikikki beach is man made. Barges bring sand in and dredges pump the sand into the corresponding location. Why do you think gold sand is in front of the Illikai and Hawaiian Hilton Village beach. white sand in front of the Outrigger area Hotels and way down by the Circle Hotel there is white grey sand. Farther east the sand gets more rocky. If these areas weren’t restocked every seven years there would be no beach. Who pays for this? DLNR office of conservation and the OCCL. If Hotels pay to bring in their own sand then who controls that stretch of beach? My sand my beach issue.
You know, too many problems, issues, disagreements, government mismanagement, lack of planning and foresight, poor to mediocre leadership, a divide between politics, business/industry, locals and non-owners and visitors, questionable decisions, the sale of huge tract of land and other real estate to wealthy celebrities that could have been to better use under the principle ‘best and highest use’ for the general good in view of the challenges and issues in Hawaii right now. It’s quickly spiraling into chaos in paradise – a clusterfudge of non-resolved issues with no real solutions or agreement in the foreseeable future. It took one terrible turn of events to make it finally implode. No more paradise, serenity and peace. Sad. Very sad. The aloha spirit is only a marketing pitch thing. Now the survival of Hawaiian Airlines caught in this riptide.