HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0693.000 1996-1998 David L. Bigelow
P.O. Box 415
Kamuela, HI 96743
Phone: (808)885-9004
January 20, 1998
Hawaii County Councilman John Ray ~ ; .
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25 Aupuni St, Room 209
Hilo, HI 96720
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Dear Councilman Ray:
The purpose of this letter is to protest being denied surfing access through
Spencer Beach Park. During the winter for the several months that surf conditions are
good, I routinely paddle out from Spencer Beach Park to the surf break about Y. mile
offshore from the park. Last week I was informed by the lady in charge of park
maintenance that County rules prohibit launching surf boards or other surfing equipment
from the beach. For your information, she was polite and non-confrontational, and
clearly did not like her assigned task of preventing ocean access.
As a taxpayer, I find it absurd that I cannot launch and retrieve surfing equipment
from one of the few county beach parks in West Hawaii. As a long term professional
Waterman, I can see no rational reason for such a rule at Spencer. Their is no shore
break at Spencer, and during the early morning when most surfing activity takes place,
there is no one on the beach.
If the County is worried about safety (there is no safety problem at Spencer), the
area right next to the rocks on the south side of the beach could be designated as the
entry and exit point for surfing equipment. Additionally, the life guard could be given
instructions to ask anyone with heavy floating equipment to stay out of the area where
swimmers and bathers are in the water.
For your information, I have worked as a life guard; was a Red Cross certified
water safety instructor; have managed several resort water fronts; and have 40 years of
surfing, boating, and other ocean related experience.
I would appreciate you looking into this matter, and am looking forward to hearing
from you or someone in authority over County beach parks. I am willing to work with
anyone towards a rational safe settlement of this public access fissure.
Sincerely,
David L. Bigelow
cc: George Yoshida, Director of County Parks & Recreation
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