Hawaii Kai Town Hall Meeting Emphasizes Importance of Community
A town hall meeting was called this week by state Rep. Gene Ward (Kalama Valley, Hawaii Kai) in response to the death of 17-year-old skin diver Keahihoku Lum. On Oct. 9, Lum was struck by a fishing boat while free diving offshore of Hawaii Kai’s Portlock Point, although he and a fellow diver had “diver-down” flags attached to floats. The boat’s operator stopped after striking the divers and transported them to the Hawaii Kai boat ramp, where firefighters and paramedics treated them.
The tragedy underscores the many diverse uses of Hanauma Bay and importance of balancing all the activities taking place in such a small place, often concurrently. Of particular concern to meeting attendees were the apparent lack of boating rules enforcement by the state and the numbers of seemly out of control personal watercraft riders.
Laura H. Thielen, chairwoman of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, noted her department has just 100 enforcement officers statewide with duties from the ocean to the mountaintops. She suggested interested parties might join in a “Makai Watch” group similar to the Neighborhood Watch - to serve as the eyes and ears for state law enforcement officers.
Anyone interested in this idea should contact Rep. Ward or our Neighborhood Board. We can work together to protect our beautiful natural resources and the health and safety of all who come together to enjoy.
Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com