LIHU‘E — In an effort to better manage activities in county parks, draft rules relating to the regulation of commercial activities are being proposed by the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation. The public is invited to attend any of
LIHU‘E — In an effort to better manage activities in county parks, draft rules relating to the regulation of commercial activities are being proposed by the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
The public is invited to attend any of six informational meetings to be held throughout the island prior to a public hearing on the rules in mid-September.
“Our intent is to balance the needs of the various users of our parks, whether they are residents, visitors or commercial entities – such as surf schools and weddings, and it’s one of the initiatives of our Holo Holo 2020 vision” stated Mayor Bernard Carvalho.
“Now that the Department of Land and Natural Resources has amended its rules that govern boating and ocean activities in state waters, it’s the next step in properly managing our natural resources.”
Director of Parks and Recreation Lenny Rapozo stated that the county worked closely with the state during its amendment process, and has crafted the current draft county rules to work in concert with those of DLNR.
“Many times people have to use our park facilities in order to access ocean activities that are regulated by the state,” said Rapozo.
“It only makes sense that our rules would complement each other to restrict commercial activity to appropriate levels. We hope to receive input from the community as to what that appropriate level is through these public meetings.”
The informational meetings will start at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates:
• Aug. 15: Koloa Neighborhood Center
• Aug. 18: Waimea Neighborhood Center
• Aug. 22: Kilauea Neighborhood Center
• Aug. 24: Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei
• Aug. 31: Lihu’e Neighborhood Center
• Sept.. 7: Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center
A public hearing on the draft rules will be held Sept.. 13, at 1 p.m. in Pi‘ikoi A/B meeting rooms at the Lihu’e Civic Center. The draft rules can be found on the County’s website: www.kauai.gov/parks/draftrules, or in the Parks and Recreation office at the Lihu’e Civic Center.
Special accommodations and sign language interpreters and interpreters for non-English speaking persons are available upon request five days prior to the meeting date.
To request an accommodation please contact the Department of Parks and Recreation at 241-4456 or via email at stamashiro@kauai.gov.
Adopting rules to manage activities in county parks is one of 38 projects that are part of Mayor Carvalho’s Holo Holo 2020 vision for Kaua’i, which calls for all organizations, businesses, residents and visitors on Kaua’i to be part of creating an island that is sustainable, values the native culture, has a thriving and healthy economy, cares for all – keiki to kupuna – and has a responsible and user-friendly local government.
See the entire list of initiatives at www.kauai.gov/mayor.
