HANG TIME
The newsletter of the Maui Kiteboarding Association

The "Maui Kiteboarding Association" was created "To promote safe and responsible kiteboarding and protect the access of kiteboarders to public beaches and waters."

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October 1, 1999
Kite surfers met today, October 1st to hammer out some decisions before meeting with FAA officials on October 14th 1999. concerning the current ban of the sport on the north shore (the preferred side) of Maui. A delegation of 12 people were elected to go. Other issues were voiced concerning what is to be negotiated. All in attendance agreed that a ban of kite surfing at the end of the airport runway is the bottom line and were prepared to self police the no kite fly zone, giving up access at other sites however was not so clear cut. The Ho’okipa launch site was discussed and the group agreed that access to Ho'okipa would be restricted to competitions and the launch to lanes should be from the Wana beach. Many aspects of the Sprekelsville launch site were discussed, and there were many varied view points. (Quotes borrowed from Vern Wichers)

SATURDAY – SEPT. 25, 1999
The FAA have finally taken control of their five mile control zone around the airport. On Thursday 23rd September a fax was sent out to all windsurf shops on Maui with an overview of FAA Regulation 101. The summary given was that the regulation made kitesurfing illegal on Maui's north shore (within a 5 mile radius of the Airport) On Friday 24th another fax from the FAA and phonecalls to and from the FAA Honolulu. Friday afternoon the Police were called in to enforce FAR101 and stop kitesurfing within the Airport's zone. Three police cars came to Kanaha to inform kitesurfers that they had to stop kitesurfing of face an $1100.00 citation. The police called the lifeguards to help them inform and enforce the regulation. FAA Honolulu denied calling the police, however Maui based Aviation Officials admitted to calling the police to "Get the kitesurfers off the end of the runway". All the kitesurfers spoken to obeyed the police's instructions and quit for the day. The MKA and the FAA are working on a clarification of the regulation. We are asking all Maui kiteboarders to keep a low profile until we sort this out. It certainly won't help negotiations if irate kiteboarders hassle the FAA with annoying phonecalls. We are setting up an information phoneline at (808) 573-3133. We have our legal guys looking at this as well as our representatives and negotiators. We expect to get more details on Monday or Tuesday. Lets all keep our heads and be a little patient so we can position ourselves better in the long run. A complete version of the FAR's (regulations) and specifically FAR101 can be found at "http://www.FAA.gov".

FRIDAY – SEPT. 24, 1999
The FAA asked Police to enforce FAR101. The Police asked the lifeguards to help them enforce the rules. The police and lifeguards stopped all kitesurfing at Kanaha Beach. The MKA contacted the FAA office in Honolulu and they said that they would refer FAR101 for legal interpretation. .

THURSDAY – SEPT. 23, 1999
The FAA sent a fax to the windsurfing shops with an overview of FAR101. The footnote read that they thought this meant that kitesurfing should be excluded from a five mile zone around the airport. They also said that the matter was under investigation..

THURSDAY SEPT. 16, 1999
The Maui Dept Land Natural Rescources DOBNR Mr. Charles Penque, at the Kanaha canoe hale. There was a big turn out with shop owners Kim Ball, Ricker Alford, Lenny Cappe, life guards, Aquatics Div, MKA and the kitesurfing community in attendance. The issues discussed were the self regulation of Kiteboarding on the north shore. Mr. Penque explained the many jurisdictions of authorities that were involved with the beach access areas at Kanaha. Information was exchanged on both sides and the DLNR reps applauded the steps already taken by the MKA to self regulate. Although they recommended that more be done so that they wouldn't have to be involved. A safety steering committee was formed and met after the meeting with DLNR. The pressing issue of Sprecks was discussed and the group voted that the launch at the Sprecks Reef keyhole (the upwind launch site) would be the only launch at Sprecks, and it was for the use of advanced kitesurfers with the intention that they would sail immediately upwind and stay off the end of the strip. The Kanaha Zone was voted on and was agreed to be defined by an orange sign that marked the edge of the swimming area at lower Kanaha. Please note that the Legal swim zone extends about twice as far as the existing buoyed area. A third vote was taken on Ho'okipa and it was decided that there would be an egress (entry) at Ho'okipa for kitesurfers doing kite runs or sailing at lanes. The group agreed that kitesurfing the break at Ho'okipa was to be reserved for competitions only, in an effort to reduce the congestion at the Ho'okipa break.

FRIDAY – SEPT. 10, 1999 –
A new kitesurfing event is scheduled for Maui on October 17-24 1999. The Red Bull "King of the Air" contest will be held at Kanaha and Ho'okipa beach Parks and is expected to draw 64 competitors and will include flat water and wave style disciplines. The top 8 competitors from the prelims will join 8 seeded invitees to the hottest kitesurfin' showdown ever seen. There is $10,000 dollars in prize money up for grabs. Interested? "Click Here" for more info. While MKA membership continues to grow there is a great interest from other countries that want to form similar associations. It seems that protecting access to public beaches is an urgent and universal challenge. The MKA receives wide support from members all over the United States that wish to support our efforts. Taking an early initiative in self regulation and safety promotion is how the MKA has focused the attention of the community on the positive aspects of our sport. On 9/8/99 representatives of the MKA met at Kanaha Beach park with Federal Aviation Administration officials including Aviation Safety Inspector Mr. Edward Valdez. They discussed the concerns of the FAA regarding kitesurfing on Maui's north shore. Of particular concern was the Sprecklesville area at the end of the runway. They said that there have been complaints from pilots concerned about the kites. The FAA reminded us that they control a five mile radius around the airport. The meeting was very agreeable with an exchange of information on both sides. the FAA were presented with copies of the MKA's Kitesurfing guidelines that also contain maps of the Kitesurfing Zones.

SUNDAY – AUGUST. 7, 1999 –
Members of the MKA were invited to make a presentation to a group of retailers at the Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport store in Kahului. The store staff and friends provided food and refreshments while they listened to a presentation by MKA representatives on Kite Safety, Kite development, and Kite etiquette. There was a discussion on the interaction of Kitesurfers with other water and beach users. The meeting was very well received and a great success thanks to Lenny Cappe for hosting the evening. This meeting showed us that there is a great need for kitesurfing information in the watersports community. Many people are suspicious about kitesurfing or have unfounded fears based on ignorant assumptions until one of us takes the time to explain kitesurfing to them. We cannot exist in isolation from the community and we need to be our own public relations team.

UPDATE SUNDAY – JUNE. 20, 1999 –
We have finally turned the corner. The energy that has been put into new kitesurfing products lately and the release of the Naish brand kites has given kitesurfing more respect than it has ever had before. Maui stores have been besieged with orders for kitegear and the demand has been so high that they are sold out of Wipika 5.0 kites and there is a 25 person waiting list for the Naish kites. Flexifoil ram-air kites are now available and new gear is coming online all the time.
Most of the kites sold on Maui end up going to the mainland or overseas however the ranks of Maui based Kiteboarders continue to grow. Despite the increase in popularity, the increase in kite traffic hasn't been noticeable. this is possibly due to the fact that just as fast as new kiteboarders appear at the learning locations, other kitesurfers are progressing to the more advanced sailing areas and are spreading out to find new sailing locations. Away from windsurfing traffic and other beach users. There has also been a maturing relationship between kiteboarders and the Kanaha lifeguards. The lifeguards have established a "Two Crash Rule" which means that if you crash your kite two times trying to launch, you will be asked to go to another beach. This system seems to be working well, and nobody is above the "Rule". The lifeguards have a tough job to do. They have to oversee the beach and keep the area safe for all beach users. We kiteboarders should always respect their authority and cooperate with the lifeguard's directives.
The Kanaha launching zone at lowers is defined by an orange sign at the tree line about halfway down the beach at Lower Kanaha. Kites should always be launched on the western (harbor) side of the orange sign. The reason is to keep kitesurfers away from the swimming areas and the crowded windsurfing access. Please take care when launching at these areas because this beach is a very popular one and gets very busy especially on weekends. Launching at "Canoe Beach" is very popular with kiteboarders, the wide beach and its good wind make it one of the easier launch spots on Maui's north shore. This beach has an active role in the outrigger canoe community. There are times when canoe beach gets packed with canoeists and their families. At these times we should not even attempt to launch or land at this beach and should use the beach below. Kitesurfing schools are self regulated and as a gesture of cooperation with the beach community, the KISS (kitesurfing school system) schools have decided to refrain from teaching any kitesurfing lessons on sundays and the major public holidays on Maui. These are the busiest days for local beach users. The kitesurfing schools hope that this will help to improve the relationship between kitesurfers and other beach users. The schools also encourage other kiteboarders to show restraint and courtesy at these popular areas at busy times. The MKA joins the AKA. The Maui Kiteboarding Association is joining forces with the American Kiteflyers Association. Many of our members have already joined the AKA which offers its members insurance coverage when kiteflying. We are working with the AKA to extend the insurance to traction kiteflying and for the MKA to become a full chapter of the AKA.

UPDATE THURSDAY – MAY. 20, 1999 –
Kiteboarding popularity on Maui is at an all time high with many kiteboarders returning this summer after the winter wavesailing season. The increased use of popular launch sites has put pressure on the kiteboarding community to come up with access guidelines and alternative launch sites.
At a recent meeting (April 99) of the "Maui Boardsailing Association" (our sister association), representatives from many Maui watersports businesses, particularly windsurf shops and schools, came together to discuss safety issues concerning boardsailors and beach users. Of particular concern was kitesurfing and its interaction with other beach users.
MKA president David Dorn gave testimony to the increase of safe conduct among Maui's kiteboarders and the self policing efforts we have made. Each person attending the meeting was given a copy of the "Safe Kiteboarding Guidelines" and additional copies were given to interested business owners for distribution to their clients. The focus of the meeting was then primarily about kiteboarding with the MKA rep answering questions in a lively Q&A session. The general consensus of the MBA meeting is that tighter control of kiteboarding should be exercised in order to reduce or prevent clashes between kiteboarders and other water users. Many of the people advocating control and greater kiteboarding regulation (were interestingly some of the most vocal anti kite regulation proponents in previous meetings). All were agreed that self regulation was vital to the success of kiteboarding on Maui, and in the interest of the wider watersports community. Many suggestions were made regarding the Kiteboarding Zones on Maui, particularly Kanaha. Concern was raised that kiteboarders launching upwind of the kooks beach No-Fly Zone would drift downwind through the windsurfer area and cause conflicts there.
A motion was made to extend the Kanaha No'Fly zone to include the next beach above Kooks so that there can be no launching at Kanaha above the "Lowers" launching area. The MKA will update its maps to include the extended area. Another "Zone" that attracted concern was the "Lower Kanaha" launch. Many felt that the launch area should be reduced to the "Canoe Beach" only.
There is a greater need for self control at lower Kanaha due to the high traffic. Kiteboarders would not like to lose access to this area all together because its wide beach and exposure make it an important launch site. There are particular areas within the "Lowers Beach zone" that need to be understood. Details of the area will be posted on the MKA website and future Kiteboarding Zone maps. The MBA (boardsailing Association) appointed a safety committee to review safety guidelines, the MKA is represented on this committee by Mr. Dorn (MKA pres.) so we are fairly represented and our concerns are put forward. David Dorn asked the entire MBA group for volunteers to join the "Kiteboarding Safety Committee" and there were no offers (other than existing MKA members). One enthusiastic nomination for Don Montague to be appointed to the MKA safety committee, however Mr. Montague (despite considerable coercion) heartily declined the position. Alan Cadiz also vehemently refused any position with the MKA. The MKA itself will have another safety meeting soon to review the latest developments in the politics policies in the sport. Until then the most up to date source of MKA info is the MKA website at, http://www.maui.net/~hotwind/mka.html
All kiteboarders should make greater use of this resource. There are also a greater number of printed "Safe Kiteboarding Guidelines" in circulation amongst shops etc., although supplies are limited, due to limited MKA funds. Interested persons are invited to download to most recent copy of the Guidelines and print them at their own expense. The ".Doc" file can be downloaded at,
kitesafety.doc

UPDATE MONDAY – MAR. 1, 1999 –
We have had a great reaction from the kiteboarding community about our association. The kite shops and windsurfing shops have been given copies of the "Maui Kitezone Maps and Guidelines" for display and distribution to the public. Kiteboarders are respecting the 11:00 am rule and the no-fly zones. The increasing awareness of kiteboarding in the wider community is creating greater acceptance. Safe kiteboarding practices are increasingly more widespread. Kitesurfing schools and shops are responsibly informing their customers about safety issues and practices. The MKA has also been answering many inquiries about kiteboarding and kiteboarding safety. MKA membership is increasing although we would like to see a greater contribution from the commercial kiteboarding sector, that means shops and manufacturers that do business with kiteboarding especially on Maui.

MEETING TUESDAY – DEC. 1, 1998 – 6:30 P.M.
Summary: Discusses structure of organization and agreed on official Association purpose: "To promote safe and responsible kiteboarding and protect the access of kiteboarders to public beaches and waters. "Elected Association officers by unanimous vote: Chairman: David Dorn, Assistant Chairman: Dave Terry, Secretary: Rhonda Fosbinder, Treasurer: [still open]. Addressed primary concerns re: safety, launching sites, and product improvements, such as: distribute booklets to the public and at sports stores; self regulate/self police; affirmatively contact city council/government agencies to prevent ban, possibly draft and present proposed regulations; keep in contact with city council/government agencies so know what is happening; get word out that we are organized and aware; draft press release re: association and purpose; importance of reels, quick releases, cutters and lightweight bars, Handed out drawing of one of the best quick release safety system that can easily be made at home and which allows you to retrieve your kite line if released. Discussed desire to share information, ideas and safety improvements freely at this time. Discussed desire to look into possibility of insurance in future, and into "formalizing" the organization as a non-profit corporation or other type of entity. Each person submitted five safety suggestions for use in safety guideline brochure to be handed out at stores.

MEETING AGENDA TUESDAY - DEC. 15, 1998 - 6:30 P.M.
Vote on Association name – Name and purpose will be published with "Recommended Safety Guidelines" brochure. Obtain names/addresses/phone nos. for mailing list and member directory, which will be typed and copied for handing out at next meeting.  Establish membership fees for collection at next meeting. Compare and discuss quick release ideas and cutting devices. Finalize zone map and safety guideline list – hand out proposed document (vote on). Schedule next meeting.

PATRON MEMBERS:
Action Sports Maui
Active Travel Services
Kulgarnie Windsurf Co.

BUSINESS MEMBERS:
Extreme Sports Maui
Hawaiian Island Surf & Sport
Hot Sails Maui
KISS kitesurfing
Litewave Design Kiteboards
Radio Maui Q103
Sign Soloutions Kihei
Stonker Kitesurf Boards Australia

FOUNDING MEMBERS:
Lai Lai Aubert-Fok
Hawaiian Proline - Keith & Karen Baxter.
Dave Terry
John Holzhall
Dave Wilson
Ding Kings
Don Dixon
(Regular Members are not listed here)

For more information on the sport of kitesurfing Click here, "Kiteboarding Info Page".
Contributions to the News letter can be sent to, "Hang-time Contributions"