GREAT-3(6) Reso 23-183 RESOLUTION 23-183, RELATING TO APPROVING FOR INCLUSION IN THE 2024 HAWAII STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE A STATE BILL RELATING TO MOTORIZED WATERCRAFTS (GREAT-3(6))
Hi everyone, I am 58 years old and Efoiling is a healthy way for me to get outside and be in the water. I was born and raised here and over the years I have many other factors that have negatively impacted our reef such oil and leaky fuels from unkept boats and jet skis dripping onto our beautiful reef and destroying them.
If DLNR really cares about saving our resources start with the root cause and address the gas guzzling water vessels.
If you want modernize anything, modernize your perspective and look at electric water vessels as a gateway into our brighter future where our reef and wildlife is flourishing. Don't penalize the few who are quiet and minding their own business. No operator of efoils are intending to hurt wildlife or looking for swimmers to run over. Please have an open mind.
I believe that e-foils should be banned in Maui because of their harmful environmental impacts and their disrespect for native peoples. Many environmentalists have also made it clear that this is an unnecessary tourism experience that hurts native flora and fauna.
Electronic hydrofoil, better known as an E-Foil are powered by electric motors (hence the name), which means that they produce emissions that contribute to climate change, and they also use an excessive amount of energy. the noise from e-foils often disturb marine life survival patterns and make it difficult for other people to enjoy the natural beauty of Maui.
The use of e-foils in Maui has also been criticized by many native Hawaiians, as a short-sighted disrespectful intrusion without deeper thought of it's intersectional impacts. E-foils are often used in areas that are sacred to native Hawaiians, and the noise from the machines can disturb cultural practices such as fishing, surfing, ect.
Tourists will still flock to Hawaii even if e-foils are banned. There are many other activities that tourists can enjoy on the island, such as hiking, swimming, and snorkeling. In fact, a ban on e-foils could actually help to protect the environment and the cultural heritage of Maui, which would make the island more attractive to tourists in the long run.
For these reasons, I believe that the environmental and cultural impacts of e-foils are too great to allow them to be used in Maui. I urge the Maui County Council to ban the use of e-foils in Maui in order to protect the environment and the cultural heritage of the island.
I believe that a ban on e-foils would be a fair and reasonable measure that would protect the interests of all people who live on or visit Maui. Thank you for your time and consideration
I think most of the reported injuries are from non powered foil boards surfing on breaking waves with other surfers. A lot of people can't tell the difference between a powered and non powered foil board. They are just latching on to the term E-foil and assuming we are all the same. E-foils do not operate in the breaking waves. We have the ability to power out farther away from people and breaking waves. The non powered foil boards have to paddle by hand and cannot make it out far enough to avoid people and breaking waves.
Locations | E-Foil Hawaii
I IMPLORE THE STATE OF HAWAII MORE SPECIFICALLY MAUI COUNTY TO FULLY INVESTIGATE MY COMPLAINT(S) AGAINST E FOIL HAWAII LLC BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OCCURS FOR THE THOUSANDS OF SWIMMERS AND SNORKELERS WHO DAILY TRAVEL BETWEEN AIRPORT BEACH AND BLACK ROCK. PLEASE RESTORE SAFETY BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE TO NORTH KAANAPALI BEACH WHILE PROTECTING WHALES, DOLPHINS, SEA TURTLES FROM THIS COMERCIALISM E FOIL OPERATION. THE CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF WEST MAUI HANG IN THE BALANCE.
MAHALO.,
SCOTT COHN
SEAGALAS@GMAIL.COM
619.335.7709
CORUPTORS OF KAANAPALI NORTHSIDE ( E-FOILHAWAII ) WHERE CALMNESS, TRANQUILITY, NONCOMMERCIAL WATER ENJOYMENT MEETS OLD LAHAINA TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES
RECENTLY A COMMERCIAL E-FOIL LEASE WAS GRANTED BY THE ROYAL LAHAINA TO E-FOILHAWAII.
THIS ONCE PEACEFUL STRETCH OF COASTLINE ( NORTH KAANAPALI BEACH ) WHERE ORGANIC WATER ACTIVITIES LIKE OPEN OCEAN WATER SWIMMING, SNORKELING AND PADDLEBOARDING PROVIDE A SAFE HEAVEN FROM GAS OR ELECTRIC POWERED WATERCRAFT HAS NOW BEEN DISRUPTED BY MAINLAND COMERCIALISM. THE OPERATORS OF E- FOILHAWAII WILL CLAIM THAT THEIR PRACTICES ARE SAFE FOR BOTH THE CUSTOMER AND THOSE WHO ENTER THE OCEAN FOR THE ABOVEMENTIONED ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT THE ELECTRIC E-FOIL IS A MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT THAT CAN TOP OUT AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 28 MPH. THE DAMAGE THIS WATERCRAFT CAN DO TO BOTH WILDLIFE AND HUMANS IS ENORMOUS AND IN MANY INSTANCES FATAL. REGARDLESS OF THE SUPERVISION PROVIDED BY E-FOILHAWAII WHILE ENTERTAINING GUESTS OUT ON THE WATER IN FRONT OF THE ROYAL LAHAINA, ACCIDENTS, MISHAPS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DEATH EXIST. THE LOCAL COMMUNITY (LAHAINA, KAANAPALI,
HONOKOWAI, KAHANA. NAPILI AND HONOLUA) WHO FOR DECADES HAVE MADE THE JOURNEY TO THIS STRETCH OF BEACH WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES STRONGLY REJECT, OPPOSE AND INSIST THAT THE ROYAL LAHAINA AND DLNR REVOKE ALL PERMITING FOR E-FOILHAWAII IMMEDIATELY IN ORDER TO RESTORE SAFETY, PEACE, CALMNESS, TRANQUILITY TO THIS VERY SPIRITUAL CORNER OF THE WORLD.
I wholeheartedly oppose this. There are inconsiderate surfers, divers, boaters, and beach goers. The acts of a foolish few should not jeopardize those who are safe wise stewards of our ocean resources.
I can understand the intent of this bill. All water vessels have rudders which are like swords under water. I have seen more wildlife at risk from speeding boats. Lets take this opportunity to partner and educate both sides so we can have a safe ocean and resources.
Can we just learn to share the ocean, which is rather large? I swim in the ocean with foilers all the time, but I never seem to get close to them because they operate so far away from shore. I frequently find dead salinity caused by boats traveling faster than a foil, which typically operates at 12 miles per hour.
My wife and I are in our late 50s. based on environmental and safety considerations, Efoiling is a superb opportunity for us to exercise and enjoy our beautiful Island. Please please please don't take it away from us! We've been Efoiling for almost three years and haven't encountered any issues with swimmers, other vessels, or sea life. How is a 15MPH Efoil less safe than unregulated recreational activities such as a 25MPH Kite Surfing or even plain surfing? Have the authors of the bill considered statistics for surfing injuries? Why do they pick on the mellow, slow, and quiet sport of Efoiling?
As alternative, would the authors consider a common sense proposal, other than a BAN? For example, it makes perfect sense that Efoils (and Kite surfing) should not be operated within designated swimming areas.
In addition, grouping us with thrill crafts is unsafe for Efoilers, as we normally try to avoid thrill crafts such as Jet Skis. We don't move fast enough to get away from thrill crafts and are not visible enough when we are off the efoil and in the water. If we are forced to share a space with them we will be put in real danger!
It flies in the face of logic to grant a permit to these watercraft for tourists. They are the same as slashing blades through the water at risk to not only the rider, but to other people and wildlife in the ocean.
Stop caring about the tourists more than the aina and the people who live here. If you don’t regulate the land and resources in a pono and Intelligent way…there will be NO land and resources left.
I support the Maui County Council urging the State to immediately revoke all commercial permits for this activity to protect the health and safety of the public.
✅Please urge the State to pass legislation to regulate this activity as a thrill craft, like has been done for jet skis.
✅This watercraft is a serious threat and potentially fatal to humans and marine life.
✅It’s like flying through the water with a submerged samurai sword!
✅Please don’t wait for someone in our community to be maimed or killed.
Take immediate action to protect our health and safety.
I support this resolution. I have been a spear fisherman for over 60 years on the island of Maui. I have also been a commercial boat fisherman for over 50 years. All water craft have the potential to kill or maim humans and marine life. Increasing the number of either or both will result in more conflicts.
Foil boards powered by motors, or humans are especially deadly and destructive because of their long masts and wings traveling at very high speeds under the water. They also operate in close proximity to the shoreline along with humans, turtles and seals. .
Turtles and seals are protected but no one mentions the collisions in the ocean between them and foil and windsurf boards. Turtle shells in areas of popular foil and windsurf areas are cracked and have many scuff marks from collisions. Why not ask them if they have ever hit a turtle or seal while windsurfing or foiling? Ask them if they have ever hit a human or came close to one. Is money more important than safety or protection of humans and marine life? Mahalo for doing something.
Please keep our ocean users safe. Don’t risk injury to swimmers, keiki, etc.
These are likely to be used by inexperienced visitors and are not necessary for a thriving tourist economy. There are already enough activities for visitors to do.
These watercraft are as dangerous as jet skis & take far more skill to safely maneuver. They need to be in a restricted area far off shore & only used during non whale season just like the Jet Skis. If anyone opposed this safety measure, talk to the man with the 200 stitches or his lawyer.
Lets give respect to common sense here. The motor and rudder used in the efoils are also used for fishing kayaks. The motor of an efoil and the motor of a fishing kayak produces the same level of noise. An efoil has underwater wings which is basically rudders of all water vessels. There is no difference between a wings used to steer an efoil and a rudder to steer a fishing kayak. All water vessels need rudders to steer. This modernization of definition would also put fishing kayaks into this classification and negatively the fishing community which to many is a way of life and embodied in the hawaiian culture.
Since Fishing has been an important aspect of Hawaiian culture for thousands of years. The practice of fishing helped connect people to the natural world and reminded them their actions had a direct impact on it; it was also a societal “glue” that strengthened relationships between seaside and upland communities.
Tamara Paltin needs her legislation to be reviewed by an attorney who understands watercraft. You cannot redact an internal combustion engine as this leaves a loop hole for combustion engines. Eliminating E-Foils is not the answer but I do feel that regulating to assigned areas and rules is a more acceptable approach and therefore this legislation needs to go back to the drawing board.
Let’s have time for an honest debate with experts from both sides. Then we all can get the facts and make an educated decision. Until then I strongly oppose !
Hi everyone, I am 58 years old and Efoiling is a healthy way for me to get outside and be in the water. I was born and raised here and over the years I have many other factors that have negatively impacted our reef such oil and leaky fuels from unkept boats and jet skis dripping onto our beautiful reef and destroying them.
If DLNR really cares about saving our resources start with the root cause and address the gas guzzling water vessels.
If you want modernize anything, modernize your perspective and look at electric water vessels as a gateway into our brighter future where our reef and wildlife is flourishing. Don't penalize the few who are quiet and minding their own business. No operator of efoils are intending to hurt wildlife or looking for swimmers to run over. Please have an open mind.
I believe that e-foils should be banned in Maui because of their harmful environmental impacts and their disrespect for native peoples. Many environmentalists have also made it clear that this is an unnecessary tourism experience that hurts native flora and fauna.
Electronic hydrofoil, better known as an E-Foil are powered by electric motors (hence the name), which means that they produce emissions that contribute to climate change, and they also use an excessive amount of energy. the noise from e-foils often disturb marine life survival patterns and make it difficult for other people to enjoy the natural beauty of Maui.
The use of e-foils in Maui has also been criticized by many native Hawaiians, as a short-sighted disrespectful intrusion without deeper thought of it's intersectional impacts. E-foils are often used in areas that are sacred to native Hawaiians, and the noise from the machines can disturb cultural practices such as fishing, surfing, ect.
Tourists will still flock to Hawaii even if e-foils are banned. There are many other activities that tourists can enjoy on the island, such as hiking, swimming, and snorkeling. In fact, a ban on e-foils could actually help to protect the environment and the cultural heritage of Maui, which would make the island more attractive to tourists in the long run.
For these reasons, I believe that the environmental and cultural impacts of e-foils are too great to allow them to be used in Maui. I urge the Maui County Council to ban the use of e-foils in Maui in order to protect the environment and the cultural heritage of the island.
I believe that a ban on e-foils would be a fair and reasonable measure that would protect the interests of all people who live on or visit Maui. Thank you for your time and consideration
I think most of the reported injuries are from non powered foil boards surfing on breaking waves with other surfers. A lot of people can't tell the difference between a powered and non powered foil board. They are just latching on to the term E-foil and assuming we are all the same. E-foils do not operate in the breaking waves. We have the ability to power out farther away from people and breaking waves. The non powered foil boards have to paddle by hand and cannot make it out far enough to avoid people and breaking waves.
Locations | E-Foil Hawaii
I IMPLORE THE STATE OF HAWAII MORE SPECIFICALLY MAUI COUNTY TO FULLY INVESTIGATE MY COMPLAINT(S) AGAINST E FOIL HAWAII LLC BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH OCCURS FOR THE THOUSANDS OF SWIMMERS AND SNORKELERS WHO DAILY TRAVEL BETWEEN AIRPORT BEACH AND BLACK ROCK. PLEASE RESTORE SAFETY BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE TO NORTH KAANAPALI BEACH WHILE PROTECTING WHALES, DOLPHINS, SEA TURTLES FROM THIS COMERCIALISM E FOIL OPERATION. THE CULTURAL TRADITIONS OF WEST MAUI HANG IN THE BALANCE.
MAHALO.,
SCOTT COHN
SEAGALAS@GMAIL.COM
619.335.7709
CORUPTORS OF KAANAPALI NORTHSIDE ( E-FOILHAWAII ) WHERE CALMNESS, TRANQUILITY, NONCOMMERCIAL WATER ENJOYMENT MEETS OLD LAHAINA TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES
RECENTLY A COMMERCIAL E-FOIL LEASE WAS GRANTED BY THE ROYAL LAHAINA TO E-FOILHAWAII.
THIS ONCE PEACEFUL STRETCH OF COASTLINE ( NORTH KAANAPALI BEACH ) WHERE ORGANIC WATER ACTIVITIES LIKE OPEN OCEAN WATER SWIMMING, SNORKELING AND PADDLEBOARDING PROVIDE A SAFE HEAVEN FROM GAS OR ELECTRIC POWERED WATERCRAFT HAS NOW BEEN DISRUPTED BY MAINLAND COMERCIALISM. THE OPERATORS OF E- FOILHAWAII WILL CLAIM THAT THEIR PRACTICES ARE SAFE FOR BOTH THE CUSTOMER AND THOSE WHO ENTER THE OCEAN FOR THE ABOVEMENTIONED ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT THE ELECTRIC E-FOIL IS A MOTORIZED WATERCRAFT THAT CAN TOP OUT AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 20 AND 28 MPH. THE DAMAGE THIS WATERCRAFT CAN DO TO BOTH WILDLIFE AND HUMANS IS ENORMOUS AND IN MANY INSTANCES FATAL. REGARDLESS OF THE SUPERVISION PROVIDED BY E-FOILHAWAII WHILE ENTERTAINING GUESTS OUT ON THE WATER IN FRONT OF THE ROYAL LAHAINA, ACCIDENTS, MISHAPS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DEATH EXIST. THE LOCAL COMMUNITY (LAHAINA, KAANAPALI,
HONOKOWAI, KAHANA. NAPILI AND HONOLUA) WHO FOR DECADES HAVE MADE THE JOURNEY TO THIS STRETCH OF BEACH WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES STRONGLY REJECT, OPPOSE AND INSIST THAT THE ROYAL LAHAINA AND DLNR REVOKE ALL PERMITING FOR E-FOILHAWAII IMMEDIATELY IN ORDER TO RESTORE SAFETY, PEACE, CALMNESS, TRANQUILITY TO THIS VERY SPIRITUAL CORNER OF THE WORLD.
MAHALO,
SCOTT COHN
I wholeheartedly oppose this. There are inconsiderate surfers, divers, boaters, and beach goers. The acts of a foolish few should not jeopardize those who are safe wise stewards of our ocean resources.
Efoiling is safe
I can understand the intent of this bill. All water vessels have rudders which are like swords under water. I have seen more wildlife at risk from speeding boats. Lets take this opportunity to partner and educate both sides so we can have a safe ocean and resources.
Can we just learn to share the ocean, which is rather large? I swim in the ocean with foilers all the time, but I never seem to get close to them because they operate so far away from shore. I frequently find dead salinity caused by boats traveling faster than a foil, which typically operates at 12 miles per hour.
My wife and I are in our late 50s. based on environmental and safety considerations, Efoiling is a superb opportunity for us to exercise and enjoy our beautiful Island. Please please please don't take it away from us! We've been Efoiling for almost three years and haven't encountered any issues with swimmers, other vessels, or sea life. How is a 15MPH Efoil less safe than unregulated recreational activities such as a 25MPH Kite Surfing or even plain surfing? Have the authors of the bill considered statistics for surfing injuries? Why do they pick on the mellow, slow, and quiet sport of Efoiling?
As alternative, would the authors consider a common sense proposal, other than a BAN? For example, it makes perfect sense that Efoils (and Kite surfing) should not be operated within designated swimming areas.
In addition, grouping us with thrill crafts is unsafe for Efoilers, as we normally try to avoid thrill crafts such as Jet Skis. We don't move fast enough to get away from thrill crafts and are not visible enough when we are off the efoil and in the water. If we are forced to share a space with them we will be put in real danger!
It flies in the face of logic to grant a permit to these watercraft for tourists. They are the same as slashing blades through the water at risk to not only the rider, but to other people and wildlife in the ocean.
Stop caring about the tourists more than the aina and the people who live here. If you don’t regulate the land and resources in a pono and Intelligent way…there will be NO land and resources left.
Aloha.
I support the Maui County Council urging the State to immediately revoke all commercial permits for this activity to protect the health and safety of the public.
✅Please urge the State to pass legislation to regulate this activity as a thrill craft, like has been done for jet skis.
✅This watercraft is a serious threat and potentially fatal to humans and marine life.
✅It’s like flying through the water with a submerged samurai sword!
✅Please don’t wait for someone in our community to be maimed or killed.
Take immediate action to protect our health and safety.
Mahalo.
To pass legislation
I support this resolution. I have been a spear fisherman for over 60 years on the island of Maui. I have also been a commercial boat fisherman for over 50 years. All water craft have the potential to kill or maim humans and marine life. Increasing the number of either or both will result in more conflicts.
Foil boards powered by motors, or humans are especially deadly and destructive because of their long masts and wings traveling at very high speeds under the water. They also operate in close proximity to the shoreline along with humans, turtles and seals. .
Turtles and seals are protected but no one mentions the collisions in the ocean between them and foil and windsurf boards. Turtle shells in areas of popular foil and windsurf areas are cracked and have many scuff marks from collisions. Why not ask them if they have ever hit a turtle or seal while windsurfing or foiling? Ask them if they have ever hit a human or came close to one. Is money more important than safety or protection of humans and marine life? Mahalo for doing something.
Super dangerous around snorkel areas for the obvious reasons. Must stop this before someone gets hurt or worse
Please keep our ocean users safe. Don’t risk injury to swimmers, keiki, etc.
These are likely to be used by inexperienced visitors and are not necessary for a thriving tourist economy. There are already enough activities for visitors to do.
Mahalo,
Kanoa Nishiki
Kanoanishiki@hotmail.com
These watercraft are as dangerous as jet skis & take far more skill to safely maneuver. They need to be in a restricted area far off shore & only used during non whale season just like the Jet Skis. If anyone opposed this safety measure, talk to the man with the 200 stitches or his lawyer.
Lets give respect to common sense here. The motor and rudder used in the efoils are also used for fishing kayaks. The motor of an efoil and the motor of a fishing kayak produces the same level of noise. An efoil has underwater wings which is basically rudders of all water vessels. There is no difference between a wings used to steer an efoil and a rudder to steer a fishing kayak. All water vessels need rudders to steer. This modernization of definition would also put fishing kayaks into this classification and negatively the fishing community which to many is a way of life and embodied in the hawaiian culture.
Since Fishing has been an important aspect of Hawaiian culture for thousands of years. The practice of fishing helped connect people to the natural world and reminded them their actions had a direct impact on it; it was also a societal “glue” that strengthened relationships between seaside and upland communities.
Everyone, please use common sense here.
Tamara Paltin needs her legislation to be reviewed by an attorney who understands watercraft. You cannot redact an internal combustion engine as this leaves a loop hole for combustion engines. Eliminating E-Foils is not the answer but I do feel that regulating to assigned areas and rules is a more acceptable approach and therefore this legislation needs to go back to the drawing board.
Let’s have time for an honest debate with experts from both sides. Then we all can get the facts and make an educated decision. Until then I strongly oppose !