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))
I am a regular swimmer at this beach and have great concerns about these E-Foil Operations. They showed up at Airport Beach last year during Whale Season, and set up camp on the North Side of the Pavilion we could not believe a thrill craft with a motor was operating during Whale Season. Several of us swimmers asked them what they were doing and did they have a permit to operate here and they stated they did, which we found hard to believe. They ceased coming to the beach and we thought great they have been stopped. A few months ago they were back now operating out of Royal Lahaina. The process is they leave from the beach zoom out across the regular path of swimmers/ snorkelers and continue to zoom around the area with what appears to be no real boundaries. I understand the instructor is with them but these are beginners on a motorized craft around swimmers and snorkelers- it seems to be madness that this is going on. They wear a helmet and life vest- can you imagine what will happen- not if- but when- one strikes a swimmer. The noise they create in the water is a high pitched screeching that can be heard as soon as you get in the water all the way to Black Rock. Its annoying and distracting to a swimmer - I cant imagine what the destructive sound is doing to the Ocean creatures. I support Maui County Council in urging the State to immediately revoke all commercial permits for this activity to protect the health and safety of the public and pass legislation to regulate this activity, like has been done for jet skis. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I am a regular swimmer at this beach and have great concerns about these E-Foil Operations. They showed up at Airport Beach last year during Whale Season, and set up camp on the North Side of the Pavilion we could not believe a thrill craft with a motor was operating during Whale Season. Several of us swimmers asked them what they were doing and did they have a permit to operate here and they stated they did, which we found hard to believe. They ceased coming to the beach and we thought great they have been stopped. A few months ago they were back now operating out of Royal Lahaina. The process is they leave from the beach zoom out across the regular path of swimmers/ snorkelers and continue to zoom around the area with what appears to be no real boundaries. I understand the instructor is with them but these are beginners on a motorized craft around swimmers and snorkelers- it seems to be madness that this is going on. They wear a helmet and life vest- can you imagine what will happen- not if- but when- one strikes a swimmer. The noise they create in the water is a high pitched screeching that can be heard as soon as you get in the water all the way to Black Rock. Its annoying and distracting to a swimmer - I cant imagine what the destructive sound is doing to the Ocean creatures. I support Maui County Council in urging the State to immediately revoke all commercial permits for this activity to protect the health and safety of the public and pass legislation to regulate this activity, like has been done for jet skis. Thank you for your time and consideration.