HANG TIME No.8, The newsletter of the Maui Kiteboarding Association.

Letter to MKC, 7-13-06

Unauthorized Kitesurfing at Sprecks Beach a problem:

After receiving another detailed complaint today,

I called Brad and Joel, from the MKC,

then I spoke to a few other people and did a preliminary investigation.

So far I discovered that,

there are a growing number of people kiteboarding at Sprecks.

That Sprecks Beach is inside the OGG Runway Corridor described on the waiver.

And that the members of MKC I contacted did not know this was a problem.

I heard today that the GPS verified edge of the 1-mile wide corridor is halfway along “Lobster cove” (near Cyrus's house).

Lobster Cove is the next bay beyond the most upwind rocky point at Sprecks.

The other (western) side of the corridor is at the first or second house at the far end of stable road.

This definitely puts all of Sprecks (euro) Beach inside the forbidden zone.

As you know we are obliged by the FAA waiver stipulations to keep kiteboarders "informed" to stay outside the runway/flight corridor and at least a half mile each side.

Simply put:

No kitesurfing at "Camp One" or "Sprecks beach" period.

We need better signage and information to share with potential riders.

The local windsurfers will gladly assist us in informing the public of the rules.

I do not foresee any confrontations with kitesurfers, just an exchange of information.

We (the designated MKC responders) go up there and inform them.

In the case of a disagreement, or unresolved situation:

When renegade kitesurfers refuse to abide by the FAA no-fly zone.

The police will be called, and/or the county lifeguards, in the case of a water intervention.

I suggest we put up better signs (like the “No Kitesurfing” sign at upper Kanaha),

and inform the public that Sprecks (& camp one) is totally out of bounds to kitesurfing.

This way we meet our waiver obligations and stop these transgressions before

they become a deal breaker for the MKC and the FAA.

Urgently, the MKC directors need to review and learn the rules,

I should like to get a copy of the current FAA Waiver,

and set down the corridor limits on an accurate map.

FYI, This ship is already sailing, there have been complaints going out to every Govt. department today, including the FAA control tower. I advise swift & decisive action.

Regards,

David Dorn

MAUI SPEED CHALLENGE SERIES
Dates for the Maui Speed Challenge Series are July 9 and 30, August 13 and 27, and September 10 and 24, to be held from Maui's Kite Beach, near Kanaha Beach
Park. Each competitor will be provided with a Sport.Tool M300 GPS unit, provided by main sponsor Navman. The competition is open to the following categories: Open Class (in which those with specialized speed sailing equipment will compete), Men, Women, Masters, Juniors, Fun and Kite. The Juniors Division will be broken into two weight classes, for kids under 100lbs, and for kids over. For additional information, contact Maui Windsurfing Assn., (808) 871-4917, or info@mauiwindsurfing.org or visit www.mauispeed.com.

MOLOKAI OCEAN CHALLENGE 2006 The 4th annual Molokai Challenge is taking place Saturday July 22, 2006. It is open to all wind powered watercrafts, windsurfers, kiteboarders, kite canoes, and kite catamarans. The crossing is 15 miles between Maui and Molokai, across the Pailolo Channel which is one of the windiest and roughest of the Hawaiian Island channels.
for more information go to: Maui Watersports Forum/ or
http://www.molokaichallenge.com

SIGN OF THE TIMES 6/24/06 Maui kiteboarding has its share of restrictions. There are signs at "Riding areas", showing restrictions and "No-fly Zones". At a recent meeting of the kitesurfers and the canoe club it was decided that the old time signs, were confusing and outdated. They were ordered to be removed. There is a committee deciding on better signage.

STAY CLEAR OF CANOES, June 13, 2006.
Yesterday a meeting was held at the Kanaha Beach Canoe Club (Hale Wa'a). To discuss conflicts between outrigger canoe paddlers and kitesurfers that use the area. In the last six years there have been about three reported collisions or incidents between canoes and kitesurfers. The area of Kanaha beach known as "Lower Lowers" or "Old canoe Hale beach" is used during the summer time by junior canoe paddlers who use the relatively protected water of that cove. This area has become increasingly popular with kitesurfers over the last few years. Sharon Balidoy, coach of the canoe club, said that she was willing to work out a solution with the kiteboarders, and that the safety of the keiki (children) paddlers was her primary concern.
The issue of improved signage was raised. The existing signs were said to be confusing and no longer relevant to the status quo. Some of the older kiteboarders remembered the former agreements that were made with the canoe paddlers. David Dorn, owner of Action Sports Maui Kiteboarding school and kiteboarding association founder said that at the original meeting with paddlers in 2000, a one year trial agreement was put in place. Where the kiteboarders volunteered not launch at specific times when the “Summer Pals” kids program were using the area. The time restrictions kept kiters out of the water during peak canoe times. However, it was immediately evident that this approach did not work well, because there were too many days when the kitesurfers could not launch, even though there were no canoes on the water at all. The time-restrictions were replaced with a standard 200 foot clear-zone that kitesurfers were required to maintain around canoes at all times. Testimony from kiters and paddlers highlighted the need to maintain the safety of paddlers while allowing reasonable access to kitesurfers. A committee of paddlers including Sharon Balidoy and kiters including Joel Richman president of the MKC will discus ways to better inform all kitesurfers to stay clear of the canoes, and the possibility of increasing the clear-zone around the canoes. The representatives of the newly formed Maui Kitesurfing Community association said they would work on the sign issue with the canoe Club, and then submit their recommendations to Mr. Bob Straub of the Parks Department.

MAP UPDATE 2006 Maui Kiteboarding Association and the Maui Kitesurfing Community gathered together at a meeting at Ka'a Point top discuss the current understandings of the kiteboarding zones, and updating the current maps. The map below is basically the same as the one that have been circulating courtesy of the former association, The zones remain basically the same. Some members expressed their desire to open up more area to kiteboarding in the future.

SCHOOLS MEETING March 06 The MKC scheduled the Kiteboard Schools to attend, a Meeting for School owners will be held @ Ka'a Point to discuss school issues and Sunday teaching. Only two schools were represented, Action Sports and HST (with a brief KSM appearance), some other schools decided not to attend. This demonstrated to the MKC that they were not willing follow through with complaints they were making, or participate in any constructive dialog. Bob Straub (from parks) was also invited, and made some comments regarding schools, basically that new parks rules were being drafted that would clarify the restrictions placed on permitted schools and other park users. He also stated for the record that there is currently no County rule against kiteboarding lessons on Sundays.

KITE SCHOOL CODE OF CONDUCT March 06 Maui Kiteboard Schools have an agreement to abide by certain self-regulation to minimize their impact at the beach. One of the gentlemen's agreements, of "no Sunday teaching" was in effect for a number of years. However newer schools that refused to abide by the agreement, and business practices of two schools, and the proliferation of underground instructors, has seen to the abandonment of that particular agreement. By common consensus schools have resumed teaching on Sundays. On the upside, this means local people with weekday jobs have more opportunity to schedule lessons. Also the presence of the instructors at the launch sites add to the level of safety on Sundays.

NEW COUNTY RULE The parks department have new powers to charge un-permitted schools, with a misdemeanor. That carries a fine of $1000. and 30 days in Jail for persons teaching in a County Park without a permit. To help with the enforcement of these rules, the County now has Two new Park Rangers on duty. They can be seen at the Parks wearing their yellow shirts. Their duties include ensuring that permit holders are complying with the park regulations, and that their are no illegal operators operating within the parks. If you see an illegal kite school teaching in a beach park call the county.

ASSOCIATION CONFUSION? Who is the MKC,
Kitesurfing on Maui, on most of the North Shore, is controlled by FAA regulations due to the location of Kahului Airport and the proximity of the main kitesurfing beaches to the airport. FAA safety laws that govern foreign objects flying in airport space were long established prior to kitesurfing, but our kites do fall under the general umbrella definition of objects flying in federally controlled air space. Maui Kiteboarding Association (MKA) and Hawaii Kiteboarding Association (HKA) - Maui Chapter were predecessors of the current Maui Kitesurfing Community. Due to these prior organizations, kitesurfing was allowed on the North Shore through a waiver that was issued from the local representatives of the FAA. This waiver was generated from the example of other airport and FAA waivers that were previously in effect at other mainland USA air spaces.

WHAT IS THE FAA WAIVER
This waiver allows us to ride in designated areas on the North Shore of Maui. The waiver is issued to the organization, and NOT the county or state government. This waiver does not come free. It's status is not binding for any amount of time, can be revoked, and there are other rules the FAA and the Kahului Airport Tower Control (ATC) have created for kiteboarders to follow. It has a default expiration, of 2 years from issue. The next expiration date is March 2006. Renewal is NOT guaranteed.

KITEBOARDING THREATENED ON MAUI'S NORTH SHORE
MKA reminds members to encourage all north shore riders to stay out of Lower Kanaha above the canoe hale, upper Kanaha, and do not launch at Sprecks beach. Increasing violations of these "no fly" zones are putting everyone's access at risk!.

LIFEGUARD TRAINING
This photo was taken during the April IKO course. The instructor candidates practice kite recovery techniques with the assistance of the County Lifeguards. This benefits the instructors and also helps the lifeguards to familiarize themselves with the kite rescues. Pictured here is lifeguard Daryll, with instructors, John Willis (with hat), and Mike Buden (on sled).

IKO COURSE, APRIL 2006 IKO Instructor Trainer David Dorn ran an IKO Instructor Training Course, hosted by Action Sports Maui. There were 7 candidates, that undertook the 5-day training course and the additional one day medic first aid training course. Most of the candidates were long time Kite beach riders and a few new faces. Although some candidates took the course to get a better understanding of kiteboarding, most of the graduates have already found part time work in one of the Maui based kiteboarding schools. IKO courses generally happen once a year. however they can be organized on demand with a minimum of four candidates. People wanting to become a certified IKO instructor should check out the IKO website to get the requirements and other Info. http://www.ikorg.com

MKA BULLETIN BOARD HAS NOW CLOSED
MKA's public Bulletin board has now been closed because we were receiving too many junk mails. The number of junk mails and spam was increasing every week. For notices of general interest we recommend that members and other kiteboarders, go to the Maui Watersports Forum.

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