Although DLNR Chair Chang has talked about the importance of community outreach and involvement, there have been no public meetings with Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor users regarding the harbor, during DLNR Chair Chang’s tenure as Chairperson. (Note: there were two DLNR ‘listening sessions’ on Oahu, Dec 12 (Windward) and 13, 2023 but few attended the Dec 13 (Sand Island) evening meeting, due to rain, traffic, and it was poorly advertised. 

It is so difficult for most of us to make ends meet on the island already. After bills, taxes, rent, work is taken care of, the place that I (and many others) go to relax and connect with Ke Akua is the ocean. Making our free public parking spots fee-based is just another way to keep the middle/lower income residents from having access to our best surf spots. Surfing has saved my life in so many ways. The ocean has taught me Malama Honua. For many, the ocean makes us better versions of ourselves and hence, better community members.

As a longtime resident and local of Hawaii, I support this bill to have free and safe public access. Free parking is essential to have safe access for all especially the youth of Hawaii. My children are Native Hawaiian, they surf and canoe surf as their ancestors did before them. We must keep safe places where young and old natives can gather that does not require a pay to play transaction like the rest of Waikiki. 

My name is Ian Yee, and I am writing in strong support of SB1034 to guarantee at least 300 parking stalls free of charge for the public at the Ala Wai State Boat Harbor (AWSBH). I live in Nuuanu, and surf 4-6 times per week at the spot known as Kaisers, right in front of the parking lot on the beach. I have surfed at this spot for 45 years, back when the helipad was there. There is no other close, free, and easily accessable parking in this area. I am also Native Hawaiian, and believe it is my right to easily and regularly access the ocean. Converting the free parking stalls to paid would only marginalize many people who cannot afford to pay to go to the beach. Do not let the rich, or non-local people steal our ocean access merely by using money as a bludgeon for exclusion. Keep these same stalls in the same locations for free. And do not make them free, but locate them far away or difficult to access. We are an ocean going community. It is why tourists come to Hawaii. It is in our culture, heritage, and imbedded in the beauty of our islands. To take away this basic right is to deny our local people a basic need that is a part of Hawaii. Would you prohibit Olelo too? And for me, another beach or surf break is not an option nor should it be a choice I am forced to make.

Hey I'm a surfer from Oahu, I live in Mililani and surf often at bowls, the parking lot makes surfing at bowls possible and makes the water sports accessible. I'm 17 years old and have a huge passion for surfing and this will drastically effect my self and many many others. This is my first time ever testifying for anything and it's really important that the parking lot stays the same. I'll keep it plane and simple. Don't let the money makers change the island land any more this is outrageous. 

My name is Jill Chapman and I am writing in strong support of SB1034 to guarantee at least 300 parking stalls free of charge for the public at the Ala Wai State Boat Harbor (AWSBH). I live in Moiliili , and am a surfer that uses the area. I have been using the area for the past 16 years. I made friends here, learned to sail and surf here, and came into adulthood and had my first date with my now fiance of 9 years here under the Friday night fireworks. Please keep this area free for the next generations to come, for them to learn, and make lifelong relationships and connect with the aina, to have the opportunity to experience what I have graciously been afforded the opportunity to do. 

Aloha, my name is Kahealani Enoka and I support SB1034. Myself and my 'Ohana have been longtime recreational users of the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor and to this day still continue to use this parking lot. As a member of the Rockpiles, Bowls, Kaisers, and 3's surf communities, I believe that the preservation of these 300 stalls is necessary for our keiki and future generations to have access to our oceans and recreational activities at no outrageous expense. With the Ala Wai small boat harbor and Ala Moana beach park being two of the most occupied open lots, it is imperitive that we save and mālama what little we have left with these open spaces. It is our responsibility to protect our communities from any further development and save da lot

I’m writing in support of SB-1034 for the maintenance of public parking at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. I write in support as a 25 year old surfer, voyager, avid ocean user, member of the ocean community and a native Hawaiian scientist. My experience in the ocean like many others throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago is extremely reliant on access, zoning, legislation, and community. I have spent a lot of time using this space, frequenting this space, and creating relationships within the community at the small boat harbor.

I am in support of SB 1034. This bill is simple and clear. My support for this bill is to honor my husband Goro Sulijoadikusumo. On August 18 2021 I went to work and my husband went for his morning surf. He never came home that day. He was an athlete and a surfer. But he was also an engineer with Department of Transportation. He loved all things to do with roads, highways, cars and most of all he loved preserving our Hawaii and making Hawaii a better place to live and work. He and his friend parked at AWSBH that morning and many mornings likeit. He was teaching me to swim there. I walked around on the one year anniversary of his death and I saw tons of kids and families and surfers, paddlers and everybody respecting and doing what they love. DOBOR says the AWSBH needs to be developed to make money. I say a harbor has its own value.

This bill/measure is important because first and foremost, the public has a right to access our oceans. The Ala Wai harbor serves as an important gathering place for local families, surfers, sailors, paddlers, and swimmers. Removing free parking will frankly block access to the ocean. If free parking is converted to metered parking, working people who want to relax by themselves or with their families with the little free time they have will find it very difficult to consistently go to the beach as costs will add up over time.