GREAT-4(6) Reso 23-180 RESOLUTION 23-180, RELATING TO APPROVING FOR INCLUSION IN THE 2024 MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE A STATE BILL RELATING TO THRILL CRAFT (GREAT-4(6))
Please don’t take away our right to e-foil. I can’t believe all the claims of injury and damage to the environment. I have been eFoiling for almost 3 years and have never heard of an injury related to efoils. They are the least impactful. No fuel, no exhaust, no noise, no wake, no trailers, no boat ramps needed. Please ask these people to show some proof of their claims.
E-foils are just the opposite of a jet ski or thrill craft. E-foiling is very peaceful for the user and the surroundings. We abide by the rules and stay far away from swimmers, surfers, etc. I have never heard of an injury related to an e-foil. I have heard of several injuries related to non motorized foil surf boards surfing with other surfers. I am guessing most people can not tell the difference between an e-foil and a non motorized surfboard.
I oppose. Efoils should not be classified as thrill craft. They do not pollute, are not noisy, do not create a wake - in fact it's the least impact way of spending time on the water using an engine. They are already classified under DNLR, where Efoils are required to be registered and not operated in swim zones.
These attacks and legislation proposals targeted at Efoil users and operators appear to be either financially motivated (competitors who share the ocean resource), or simply misguided. Personal grievances should not be a basis for consideration for the legislators. The Efoil sport as a whole is an activity that should be ENCOURAGED by the State, not censored. When compared with other similar activities, this sport is safe for the public and the environment. Please go pick on others who pollute our waters with oil, fume and noise. Go pick on boaters who kill turtles and divers who destroy our reefs. Pick on Kite Surfers who operate at high speeds next to swimmers. Maybe look in the mirror and ask yourself how can I help by changing MY behavior instead of picking on Efoils, that are slow moving, non-polluting, quiet, and safe.
Alot more people die from drownings than from efoils. Please focus on the root cause for safety sake. Efoils are not your problem. Alot of these safety concerns about efoils can be said about anyone’s misuse of any water craft.
I strongly oppose recategorizing eFoils as thrill craft.
IT COULD PUT THE LIVES OF eFOILERS AT RISK. It would also render worthless the thousands of dollars and hours many eFoilers have spent investing in this non-polluting, fun water activity that has been explicitly endorsed by the State in the office of DOBOR at Sand Island. Would the State reimburse these costs?
Thrill Craft, like wave runners and jet skis, are generally large, heavy, loud, polluting, operated at very fast speeds, and cause wakes. As such, they are, in my opinion, correctly limited in the locations in which they can be used. I do not want to be at the beach and hear the loud whine of jet ski engines.
eFoils, on the other hand, are quiet, electric, and non-polluting. A poster at DOBOR on Sand Island endorses eFoils as “a smooth, cool ride. It’s eco-friendly. It’s swift and silent.” DOBOR further endorses eFoils by running a program to register them.
eFoils are relatively small (shorter than most surfboards), light (can easily be carried, unlike jet skis and don’t require boat launch ramps or trailers), and are generally operated at relatively slow speeds (5-10 knots). This is much slower than jet skis and other Thrill Craft, and much slower than kite surfboards. They produce no wake. They are far quieter than boats, including whale watching boats.
If eFoils are forced to operate in the few, small areas where large, heavy, fast Thrill Craft operate, like jet skis, then THE LIVES OF THE eFOILERS WILL BE AT RISK. It would be similar to forcing bicyclists to ride on the highway alongside cars and trucks. If a jet ski were to crash into an eFoiler, the eFoiler would suffer serious injuries.
My friends and I enjoy safely riding eFoils when the wind is low and other options, like kite surfing, wing foiling, and wind surfing are not possible.
Please allow us to continue to safely enjoy the beauty that Hawaii has to offer in our quiet, non-polluting, fun manner with our community.
I am reaching out to you directly to express my deep concern for this bias hearing topic on 8.1.23 at 1:30pm. I personally have worked with the DLNR DOBOR from Oahu and all islands to help understand and create legislation for the Electric Foil Boards entry into ocean activity. These works started in December of 2019. Organizations involved have been; U.S. Coast Guard, The Hawaii State Attorney General, NOAA, DLNR DOBOR, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The conclusion of the collaborative efforts of these organizations, combined with known professionals and famous waterman of Hawaii, are as follows: Electric Foil Boarding bares no excessive threat to hawaii waters, marine life or its people. It is safer in all Ocean activity statistics than other motorized activities. It is cleaner for the environment than all other motorized activities and is quieter. The documents required to prove all of this information can be readily available to any council member or public citizen. Kai Nashiki, Tiare Lawrence, and all other activists associated with this bias push, are making non factual arguments and accusations. They are discriminating and extremely un-“ETHICAL” and non “TRANSPARENT,” which I gathered is the bases of this counsels meaning. If you would like proof of these comments, just ask, they are all documented.
I urge the counsel to defer this topic while it’s been assessed already by specific authorities within its purview. The county council has more important topics that require its attention. All of our activities are legally sound and vetted as a professional company should be.
I apologize for the time you have already put into entertaining all false accusations. Feel free to call or email me at your convenience.
HAWAII-WHALES-R-US
DEDICATED TO LIVING IN BALANCE WITH OUR MARINE ENVIRONMENT Richard Craig Roshon – Lecturer, author, Kayak Entrepreneur
Established 1975
To: Does Anyone Really Care
From: Richard Roshon
Subj: KAHEKILI BEACH PARK TO BLACK ROCK
Unsafe place to swim
They are called E-Foils, and electric powered surfboard that can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and emit a noise that can be heard for over 100 yards underwater. The Sea where sound travels 5 times the distance than it does in our atmosphere. Marine species such as turtles, seals and whales use sound to find migration routes, food and mates.
For nearly 5 decades a place where Sugar Cane once lined the cost line, now the location of Kahekili Beach Park has been the beginning of my daily morning swims to Black Rock and back beginning in the 1970’s. It has always been a nice clean, quiet and safe place to swim. Today dozens of local residents swim along this coast from Kahekili Beach Park to Black Rock and back for their morning exercise. Many of us swim out to the moored Catamaran and then down to Black Rock – NO MORE
However sadly and unfortunately this E-Foil operation is now operating from the Royal Lahaina Resort. Recently I have heard of several close encounters by daily swimmers as the E-Foil races close by. I have also been told of a few residents approaching the operator of this E-Foil operation questioning this operation and saying that this individual has been rude and some what threatening.
After 5 decades and a personal frightening close encounter with an E-Foil I will no longer swim in this area and enjoy the meditative quietness that swimming brings. A hit I feel could be fatal – (there is no air bag to protect you such as in a car. It would be a full on hit and a lawsuit will not bring a persons life back who may have just perished or gets seriously injured. Recently in Rhode Island I was told a young boy wass hospitalized due to being hit by an E-Foil.
I urge all who read this letter to write, call DO something. Don’t just say “Oh that’s to bad”. Do something to eliminate this operation so that other E-foil operations do not appear.
PLEASE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING, OR THINGS WILL ONLY GET WORSE.
Here are some addresses, so please take the time to write, call – make copies of this letter and forward, call but again DO SOMETHING.
Maui County Council, Kalana O Maui Bldg. 200 S. High Street, 8th Floor Wailuku, Maui 96793
Tamara Paltin, Maui County Council Representing W. Maui, same address as above.
Tamarra.Palltin@mauicounty.us
Elle Cochran, House of Representatives, 14th District - Maalaea, W. Maui, Kahakuloa, Waiehu
415 S. Beretania st. #315, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 808-586-6160
repcochran@capitol.hawaii.gov
State DLNR-Division of Aquatic, 130 Mahalani st. Wailuku, Maui 96793 808-243-5294
DLNR Main office, Kalanimoku Building, 1151 Punchbowl St. Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Dawn N.S. Chang, Chairperson 808-587-0400 dlnr@hawaii.gov
DLNR Division of Boating & Recreation, Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, 675 Wharf St.
Lahaina 96761 808-662-4062
County of Maui – Department of parks & Recreation, 700 Halia Nakua St #2,
Wailuku, Maui 96793 Patrick McCall Director, Shane Dudoit Deputy Director 808-270-7230
Love The Sea, 33 Hoe St. Paia, Maui 96779 – Campell Farrell, Executive Director
808-870-6404 (Non-profit organization)
Division of boating and Ocean Recreation, Maui District Office101 Maalaea Boat Harbor Road, Wailuku, Maui 96793 808-243-5824 dlnr.bd.mauiidistrict@hawaii.gov
Mr Stephen Hinck, GM Royal Lahaina Resort, 2780 Kekaa Drive, Lahaina, Maui, 96761
IN CLOSING: Thankyou Royal Lahaina for taking away the once Ambience of a quiet, peaceful and safe place to swim for Residents, Visitors and Nature (Sea Turtles, Seals and Whales)
DOES ANYONE REALLY CARE
For the preservation and safety of all life
Above and Below the SEA
PLEASE FULLY INVESTIGATE MY COMPLAINT(S) AGAINST E FOIL HAWAII LLC. THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF THOUSANDS OF SWIMMERS AND SNORKELERS AS WELL AS THE WHALES, DOLPHINS AND SEA TURTLES THAT TRAVEL BETWEEN BLACK ROCK AND AIRPORT BEACH DEPEND ON YOUR DUE DILIGENCE. PLEASE RESTORE SAFETY AND TRANQUILLITY TO THIS SPIRITUAL PLACE ON OUR PLANET AND SHUT DOWN E FOIL HAWAII LLC AT ONCE!
MAHALO,
SCOTT COHN
SEAGALAS@GMAIL.COM
619.335.7709
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
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.
The ocean is quite large, can we just learn to share? I swim in the water with foilers all the time and I can never seem to get near them since they are operating so far away from shore. I often see dead saline cause by boats traveling a higher rate of speed then an foil which usually operates at 12 miles per hour.
I am a regular swimmer and efoilers have always been respectful and cautious around other water goers. They are also quiet compared to the boats and jetkis which are loud and dangerous and often operated by individuals under the effects of alcohol.
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.
Aloha, my name is Alika Ferreira and I operate an efoil personally and operate an efoil school commercially on Oahu. I have instructed 1000s of people on how to safely operate an efoil over the past three years and I have ZERO incidents to report. We teach lessons away from the busy locations such as Waikiki.
There is very little audible impact from efoils on marine life. When compared to other powered watercraft, efoils are the most quiet.
If this bill is passed, you would be placing an efoil in the same category as a jet ski. Efoils are much more like a small dingy or pontoon boat than a jet ski. Efoil speeds are capable of 30 mph, similar to a pontoon boat and dingy, but very different from a jet ski with speeds of 60-120 mph. Efoils operate only when the operator is onboard. As soon as the operator falls, the efoil motor shuts off. That is not true for jet skis or boats.
Efoils are classified as vessels by the US Coast Guard. As such, vessels are restricted from surf zones, swim zones, and other vessel restricted areas. This classification is sufficient to prevent accidents with non-powered watercrafts. If this bill is approved, you would put Efoil operators in the same zone as a jet ski which would put the efoil operator in harms way.
Please consider this points and those of all Efoil operators when making your decision. I am available for live testimony if desired.
I have posted this comment on two agenda items since they appear to be the same issue under two different resolutions.
Please don’t take away our right to e-foil. I can’t believe all the claims of injury and damage to the environment. I have been eFoiling for almost 3 years and have never heard of an injury related to efoils. They are the least impactful. No fuel, no exhaust, no noise, no wake, no trailers, no boat ramps needed. Please ask these people to show some proof of their claims.
Aloha. Tammy Harp.
I am in support of Resolution No. 23-180.
I very much oppose these sneak attacks on a very safe and fun water sport..
E-foils are just the opposite of a jet ski or thrill craft. E-foiling is very peaceful for the user and the surroundings. We abide by the rules and stay far away from swimmers, surfers, etc. I have never heard of an injury related to an e-foil. I have heard of several injuries related to non motorized foil surf boards surfing with other surfers. I am guessing most people can not tell the difference between an e-foil and a non motorized surfboard.
I oppose. Efoils should not be classified as thrill craft. They do not pollute, are not noisy, do not create a wake - in fact it's the least impact way of spending time on the water using an engine. They are already classified under DNLR, where Efoils are required to be registered and not operated in swim zones.
These attacks and legislation proposals targeted at Efoil users and operators appear to be either financially motivated (competitors who share the ocean resource), or simply misguided. Personal grievances should not be a basis for consideration for the legislators. The Efoil sport as a whole is an activity that should be ENCOURAGED by the State, not censored. When compared with other similar activities, this sport is safe for the public and the environment. Please go pick on others who pollute our waters with oil, fume and noise. Go pick on boaters who kill turtles and divers who destroy our reefs. Pick on Kite Surfers who operate at high speeds next to swimmers. Maybe look in the mirror and ask yourself how can I help by changing MY behavior instead of picking on Efoils, that are slow moving, non-polluting, quiet, and safe.
Alot more people die from drownings than from efoils. Please focus on the root cause for safety sake. Efoils are not your problem. Alot of these safety concerns about efoils can be said about anyone’s misuse of any water craft.
Please let me understand why there is two proposals for this same reclassification? I oppose both!
I strongly oppose recategorizing eFoils as thrill craft.
IT COULD PUT THE LIVES OF eFOILERS AT RISK. It would also render worthless the thousands of dollars and hours many eFoilers have spent investing in this non-polluting, fun water activity that has been explicitly endorsed by the State in the office of DOBOR at Sand Island. Would the State reimburse these costs?
Thrill Craft, like wave runners and jet skis, are generally large, heavy, loud, polluting, operated at very fast speeds, and cause wakes. As such, they are, in my opinion, correctly limited in the locations in which they can be used. I do not want to be at the beach and hear the loud whine of jet ski engines.
eFoils, on the other hand, are quiet, electric, and non-polluting. A poster at DOBOR on Sand Island endorses eFoils as “a smooth, cool ride. It’s eco-friendly. It’s swift and silent.” DOBOR further endorses eFoils by running a program to register them.
eFoils are relatively small (shorter than most surfboards), light (can easily be carried, unlike jet skis and don’t require boat launch ramps or trailers), and are generally operated at relatively slow speeds (5-10 knots). This is much slower than jet skis and other Thrill Craft, and much slower than kite surfboards. They produce no wake. They are far quieter than boats, including whale watching boats.
If eFoils are forced to operate in the few, small areas where large, heavy, fast Thrill Craft operate, like jet skis, then THE LIVES OF THE eFOILERS WILL BE AT RISK. It would be similar to forcing bicyclists to ride on the highway alongside cars and trucks. If a jet ski were to crash into an eFoiler, the eFoiler would suffer serious injuries.
My friends and I enjoy safely riding eFoils when the wind is low and other options, like kite surfing, wing foiling, and wind surfing are not possible.
Please allow us to continue to safely enjoy the beauty that Hawaii has to offer in our quiet, non-polluting, fun manner with our community.
Mahalo!
Aloha Maui County Council Members,
I am reaching out to you directly to express my deep concern for this bias hearing topic on 8.1.23 at 1:30pm. I personally have worked with the DLNR DOBOR from Oahu and all islands to help understand and create legislation for the Electric Foil Boards entry into ocean activity. These works started in December of 2019. Organizations involved have been; U.S. Coast Guard, The Hawaii State Attorney General, NOAA, DLNR DOBOR, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). The conclusion of the collaborative efforts of these organizations, combined with known professionals and famous waterman of Hawaii, are as follows: Electric Foil Boarding bares no excessive threat to hawaii waters, marine life or its people. It is safer in all Ocean activity statistics than other motorized activities. It is cleaner for the environment than all other motorized activities and is quieter. The documents required to prove all of this information can be readily available to any council member or public citizen. Kai Nashiki, Tiare Lawrence, and all other activists associated with this bias push, are making non factual arguments and accusations. They are discriminating and extremely un-“ETHICAL” and non “TRANSPARENT,” which I gathered is the bases of this counsels meaning. If you would like proof of these comments, just ask, they are all documented.
I urge the counsel to defer this topic while it’s been assessed already by specific authorities within its purview. The county council has more important topics that require its attention. All of our activities are legally sound and vetted as a professional company should be.
I apologize for the time you have already put into entertaining all false accusations. Feel free to call or email me at your convenience.
Mahalo Nui Loa.
HAWAII-WHALES-R-US
DEDICATED TO LIVING IN BALANCE WITH OUR MARINE ENVIRONMENT Richard Craig Roshon – Lecturer, author, Kayak Entrepreneur
Established 1975
To: Does Anyone Really Care
From: Richard Roshon
Subj: KAHEKILI BEACH PARK TO BLACK ROCK
Unsafe place to swim
They are called E-Foils, and electric powered surfboard that can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and emit a noise that can be heard for over 100 yards underwater. The Sea where sound travels 5 times the distance than it does in our atmosphere. Marine species such as turtles, seals and whales use sound to find migration routes, food and mates.
For nearly 5 decades a place where Sugar Cane once lined the cost line, now the location of Kahekili Beach Park has been the beginning of my daily morning swims to Black Rock and back beginning in the 1970’s. It has always been a nice clean, quiet and safe place to swim. Today dozens of local residents swim along this coast from Kahekili Beach Park to Black Rock and back for their morning exercise. Many of us swim out to the moored Catamaran and then down to Black Rock – NO MORE
However sadly and unfortunately this E-Foil operation is now operating from the Royal Lahaina Resort. Recently I have heard of several close encounters by daily swimmers as the E-Foil races close by. I have also been told of a few residents approaching the operator of this E-Foil operation questioning this operation and saying that this individual has been rude and some what threatening.
After 5 decades and a personal frightening close encounter with an E-Foil I will no longer swim in this area and enjoy the meditative quietness that swimming brings. A hit I feel could be fatal – (there is no air bag to protect you such as in a car. It would be a full on hit and a lawsuit will not bring a persons life back who may have just perished or gets seriously injured. Recently in Rhode Island I was told a young boy wass hospitalized due to being hit by an E-Foil.
I urge all who read this letter to write, call DO something. Don’t just say “Oh that’s to bad”. Do something to eliminate this operation so that other E-foil operations do not appear.
PLEASE, PLEASE DO SOMETHING, OR THINGS WILL ONLY GET WORSE.
Here are some addresses, so please take the time to write, call – make copies of this letter and forward, call but again DO SOMETHING.
Maui County Council, Kalana O Maui Bldg. 200 S. High Street, 8th Floor Wailuku, Maui 96793
Tamara Paltin, Maui County Council Representing W. Maui, same address as above.
Tamarra.Palltin@mauicounty.us
Elle Cochran, House of Representatives, 14th District - Maalaea, W. Maui, Kahakuloa, Waiehu
415 S. Beretania st. #315, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 808-586-6160
repcochran@capitol.hawaii.gov
State DLNR-Division of Aquatic, 130 Mahalani st. Wailuku, Maui 96793 808-243-5294
DLNR Main office, Kalanimoku Building, 1151 Punchbowl St. Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Dawn N.S. Chang, Chairperson 808-587-0400 dlnr@hawaii.gov
DLNR Division of Boating & Recreation, Lahaina Small Boat Harbor, 675 Wharf St.
Lahaina 96761 808-662-4062
County of Maui – Department of parks & Recreation, 700 Halia Nakua St #2,
Wailuku, Maui 96793 Patrick McCall Director, Shane Dudoit Deputy Director 808-270-7230
Love The Sea, 33 Hoe St. Paia, Maui 96779 – Campell Farrell, Executive Director
808-870-6404 (Non-profit organization)
Maui SurfRiders, P.O. Box 790549, Paia, Maui 96779, Nicole Rosen, Marina Scott (Non profit organization)
Division of boating and Ocean Recreation, Maui District Office101 Maalaea Boat Harbor Road, Wailuku, Maui 96793 808-243-5824 dlnr.bd.mauiidistrict@hawaii.gov
Mr Stephen Hinck, GM Royal Lahaina Resort, 2780 Kekaa Drive, Lahaina, Maui, 96761
IN CLOSING: Thankyou Royal Lahaina for taking away the once Ambience of a quiet, peaceful and safe place to swim for Residents, Visitors and Nature (Sea Turtles, Seals and Whales)
DOES ANYONE REALLY CARE
For the preservation and safety of all life
Above and Below the SEA
Richard Roshon
Lahaina, Maui
TWO HUNDRED FEET AWAY FROM SWIMMERS AT ALL TIMES
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN,
PLEASE FULLY INVESTIGATE MY COMPLAINT(S) AGAINST E FOIL HAWAII LLC. THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF THOUSANDS OF SWIMMERS AND SNORKELERS AS WELL AS THE WHALES, DOLPHINS AND SEA TURTLES THAT TRAVEL BETWEEN BLACK ROCK AND AIRPORT BEACH DEPEND ON YOUR DUE DILIGENCE. PLEASE RESTORE SAFETY AND TRANQUILLITY TO THIS SPIRITUAL PLACE ON OUR PLANET AND SHUT DOWN E FOIL HAWAII LLC AT ONCE!
MAHALO,
SCOTT COHN
SEAGALAS@GMAIL.COM
619.335.7709
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
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
The ocean is quite large, can we just learn to share? I swim in the water with foilers all the time and I can never seem to get near them since they are operating so far away from shore. I often see dead saline cause by boats traveling a higher rate of speed then an foil which usually operates at 12 miles per hour.
I am a regular swimmer and efoilers have always been respectful and cautious around other water goers. They are also quiet compared to the boats and jetkis which are loud and dangerous and often operated by individuals under the effects of alcohol.
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.
Aloha, my name is Alika Ferreira and I operate an efoil personally and operate an efoil school commercially on Oahu. I have instructed 1000s of people on how to safely operate an efoil over the past three years and I have ZERO incidents to report. We teach lessons away from the busy locations such as Waikiki.
There is very little audible impact from efoils on marine life. When compared to other powered watercraft, efoils are the most quiet.
If this bill is passed, you would be placing an efoil in the same category as a jet ski. Efoils are much more like a small dingy or pontoon boat than a jet ski. Efoil speeds are capable of 30 mph, similar to a pontoon boat and dingy, but very different from a jet ski with speeds of 60-120 mph. Efoils operate only when the operator is onboard. As soon as the operator falls, the efoil motor shuts off. That is not true for jet skis or boats.
Efoils are classified as vessels by the US Coast Guard. As such, vessels are restricted from surf zones, swim zones, and other vessel restricted areas. This classification is sufficient to prevent accidents with non-powered watercrafts. If this bill is approved, you would put Efoil operators in the same zone as a jet ski which would put the efoil operator in harms way.
Please consider this points and those of all Efoil operators when making your decision. I am available for live testimony if desired.
I have posted this comment on two agenda items since they appear to be the same issue under two different resolutions.
Mahalo,
Alika Ferreira
Beach activities in Kaanapali need more regulation
see attached legal action submittal to DLNR
I support this measure to prevent harm to human or marine life.