Honolulu bans commercial activity on some Oahu beaches

HONOLULU — Officials in Honolulu have banned commercial activity on some popular Oahu beaches.

The targeted measure approved by the Honolulu City Council bans people from operating most businesses at city beach parks from Waimanalo to Makapuu, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Wednesday.

The rule prevents commercial activity except for that involved with the professional film industry, which is exempted because movie and television productions must work through a state agency to film in Hawaii.

Honolulu City Council member Esther Kia’aina introduced the measure.

The community “wanted relief so that they could enjoy their beaches,” Kia’aina said, citing complaints about overcrowding.

A similar ban was implemented by the Honolulu City Council in neighboring Kailua in 2011. Officials said businesses that couldn’t operate there moved down the coastline to the beaches that are now subject to the new ban.

Oahu Wedding Association President Joseph Esser said a different management plan would have been better for his industry.

“Reduce the number of permits, reduce the usage, so you can control it,” said Esser. “I have to now take my clients to, like, maybe Magic Island to do a photo shoot. There’s no beaches that are accessible anymore in my own community.”

Photographers can still get permits from the state to operate below the high-water line, an area outside the city’s control.