Although all beaches in Hawaii are open to the public, access is restricted in some locations by the development of hotels, condominiums, and private homes on beachfront properties. On all islands, access has been guaranteed by traditional public easements, but these are under constant threat of loss or restrictions.

Private gates and security guards have been placed at some easements, especially in Hawaii Kai, Portlock and Kailua on Oahu), causing concern to all users. Along with closing off access to beaches, private homes and developments have been encroaching on the public’s right of way to the beaches by extending their vegetation line and their properties further toward the ocean.

In response to the increasingly limited access to beaches in these areas, the Oahu Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation helped formed a coalition called Beach Access Hawaii (www.beachaccesshawaii.org). BAH is a volunteer group, whose mission is simply:

• Ensure that City and State standards for protecting public beach access are being complied with.
• Have gates removed from non-private roads leading to the beach.
• Encourage homeowners on private lanes to keep gates open during daylight hours.
• Improve beach accessibility for the elderly and disabled.

Although the group began in Kailua where private gated roads greatly outnumber public rights-of way, it is an island-wide issue that needs to be addressed by the City and State. Currently, the Oahu chapter is supporting SB1088, a state bill that would help prevent property owners from unnecessarily obstructing beach access by “amending the definition of obstruction for access to public property and creating a private right of action” to challenge those who block access.

Help by signing the petition here.

Mahalo!