Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board Approves Ban on Shark Tours
After an emotional two weeks, with unusual community support, the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board passed a resolution at its April meeting calling for a statewide ban on shark feeding tours.
The resolution was in response to overwhelming community opposition to a proposed shark tour operation outside of Maunalua Bay, and to questions raised about the legality of existing shark tours on Oahu's North Shore. There are many compatible uses now sharing space in Maunalua Bay - from swimming, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, fishing, and more - but residents did not want to add another, shark tours.
More than 300 people attended a community meeting on the issue at Kamiloiki Elementary on April 16. Opponents of shark tours said that sharks learn to identify the sound of vessels that have chummed the water, that chumming causes sharks to associate feeding with humans, and that sharks have been observed to follow shark tour boats back toward shore.
The Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board resolution calls for "city and state legislation to effectively ban commercial shark tours in Maunalua Bay and throughout the state."
To close existing loopholes, the resolution calls for legislation to: "(1) prohibit use of public facilities such as parks, piers, ramps, and harbors by shark tour operations; (2) prohibit advertising of commercial shark tours in any print and electronic media; and, (3) prohibit commercial use of shark cages or other devices designed to place humans in close proximity to sharks or within shark habitats."
The resolution also urges state and federal agencies to better enforce the existing laws against feeding sharks. (resource: reader submitted article to the Honolulu Advertiser)
As a Relocation Specialist for Hawaii Kai, I want to know our waters are safe for all users, and support the Board's Resolution. Contact me for more information about our Hawaii Kai lifestyle and real estate opportunities.
Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com