LIHU‘E — Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the entire shoreline at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kaua‘i’s Westside was closed to the public, according to PMRF public affairs officer Tom Clements. “In 2003 a beach access
LIHU‘E — Following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the entire shoreline at the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kaua‘i’s Westside was closed to the public, according to PMRF public affairs officer Tom Clements.
“In 2003 a beach access policy was put into place, and that has evolved into a very successful program today,” he said.
Beach access in 2003 was expanded to a one-mile stretch of beach. In 2008, the access expanded to two miles.
“There are currently more than 1,000 active annual passes that provide access for U.S. citizens who don’t otherwise have access to PMRF, to approximately two miles of shoreline, including popular surf spots of Majors Bay, Housings, Kinikini, as well as desired fishing locations,” said Clements, explaining that to obtain a beach pass, applicants must complete an application and pay $25 for a national background check. The pass is good for 12 months.
Besides pass holders, nearly 1,000 people including PMRF employees, National Guard, active duty and retired military and their families have access to the shoreline. Clements said these people have the same access as beach pass holders.
Blocking access to some beach areas brought some positive unintended consequences, he said. In 2000 and 2006, marine biologists conducted fish counts and confirmed a “quantifiable improvement” in the average size, population and diversity of species in the waters immediately offshore of those areas closed to the public.
“Three honu nests have produced offspring in the last two summers, not previously observed on these beaches for many years,” said Clements, adding that Hawaiian monk seals regularly haul out and honu bask undisturbed.
In addition, low-lying native near-shore vegetation (pohinahina, naupaka, ilima papa) are thriving, and ‘iwi kupuna burial grounds and nohili are not disturbed by off-road vehicles or camping activities, he said.
“These conservation opportunities are not the result of designation of conservation zones, but merely a result of post 9/11 security changes that have created a quiet and managed shoreline,” Clements said.
A 2006 Survey of Marine and Fishery Resources prepared by Honolulu-based firms Marine Research Consultants and Environmental Assessment Co. found that “the controlled access of the public to the beach resources at PMRF has probably served to conserve and protect the green turtles in the Nohili Point area.”
PMRF has worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, and some Kaua‘i residents to “malama the environment” while accomplishing their mission, Clements said.
