RES 133 Draft 01 2012-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

;#11.9S NVI. . COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII RESOLUTION NO. 133 13 A RESOLUTION URGING THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION AND THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO ASSIST IN CREATING A SAFE SWIM AREA NEAR THE POHOIKI BOAT RAMP IN THE DISTRICT OF PUNA AND TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A FEASIBILITY STUDY. WHEREAS, there are over 50 miles of Puna coastline, however, there are only a few places in the district to safely access the ocean; and WHEREAS, there are many families and new arrivals in Puna that access the ocean at the easiest and seemingly safest place, the Pohoiki Boat Ramp; and WHEREAS, Pohoiki Boat Ramp is one of the smallest boat ramp facilities in the State and the most dangerous due to its heavy subjection to strong currents and shoreline surges; and WHEREAS, it is illegal and dangerous to swim at Pohoiki Boat Ramp where rules are enforced by the Hawai`i State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation; and WHEREAS, local fisherman use the ramp day and night, and launchings have recently increased to include tour boats launched for lava viewing tours; and WHEREAS, the County of Hawai`i maintains a 15.65 acre public park adjacent to this State facility, however, the park has no safe ocean access; and WHEREAS, there has been an ongoing effort by community members, elected officials and County departments to identify and procure an area near the State facility and County park to create a safe swim area near the north end of the boat ramp, similar to the one at Onekahakaha Beach Park; and WHEREAS, creating a safe swim area where none exists is a monumental undertaking that will require partnerships with the Federal Government, the Hawai`i State Legislature, the Hawai`i County Council, and the County administration; and WHEREAS, in a support letter from the Department of Parks and Recreation, Director Clayton Honma expresses his hope that "funds will be allocated to this very worthy project that will minimize the dangers of boaters and swimmers sharing waters in such close proximity..."; and