Ian K. Lee, in support of SB1034
Aloha Chairs, Vice Chairs and Honorable Members of the Committees,
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.
I am not asking for non-locals to be excluded from this beach, so why should anyone ask for locals to be excluded by way of fees or money or limitation of access? It is disgusting that this is even a potential option and that I need to write this testimony in order to keep what has been a life long right to access the beach I choose without restriction.
Mahalo for your time. Ian K. YeeOver the past two decades, DOBOR has repeatedly tried to privatize the parking at the boat harbor, and recently drafted a partnered proposal with UH Manoa School of Planning Students that would commercialize the entire area. The plan includes a good amount of environmentally forward language and green-washing to justify commercialization to “solve” and fulfill the objectives they have set forth. The racial bias of climate adaptation along with a departure from acting in public interest by land owners or managers is a dynamic that has been studied in other places within coastal management with much criticism. DOBOR’s stakeholder process has been criticized by the BLNR multiple times in past meetings (2020 and previously). I would suggest reading through previous BLNR recommendations to DOBOR and their previous plans, specifically the most recent proposal that was heard a few years ago. The public voices of support for maintaining free parking areas have always been well organized but seemingly not enough for the department and agency level to include in their process’ to reach some form of collaboration with the public voice. This is a large reason why passing this Bill at a Senate and House level is so important for members of the public.
The issues of managing the harbor itself are long drawn out and do not go unrecognized by current harbor users. In fact, a good amount of management is through informal methods such as cleaning the beach, emergency-care and life-saving, directing first-responders, shower maintenance, and more. Much of the management is carried out by long-time recreation users themselves. While not included in the stakeholder process, many of us are still willing to collaborate for a better future in this special place we care about and SB-1034 is the first step to allowing the community to do so.
My support of SB-1034 is also grounded in legal precedent this bill can set for ocean communities and coastal areas throughout the State. I hope that the large public support for this bill speaks loudly that the public can collaborate with State and City here and throughout the islands to manage and maintain our areas fairly.
I am hoping that the Senate will agree to hear this highly organized effort to protect the public and enable a wonderful opportunity for citizens to take care of their places and work with government and agencies.
Mahalo Nui, Kai Hoshijo