Shore diving is one of Maui's singular tourist attractions,
but new local legislation designed to reduce tourist impact
on local beaches may soon restrict shore access for divers.
The Maui County Council has passed a bill prohibiting
vendors from peddling such activities as surfing and scuba
diving on certain beaches. By July, nine beaches will be affected
-- all surfing sites, says Rene Umberger, of the dive operation
Octopus Reef. Umberger, who is working with other
dive operators, the County Council, and the local parks
department, says the next step is to complete rules for shore
diving, beginning with an environmental impact study. After
that, administrative rules will be drafted that will probably call
for hefty fees to be paid by each operator for each site used.
Until then, "we're in a holding pattern, and operating as
usual," she says.
According to Umberger, the legislation was introduced
in response to pressure from some local residents, who prefer
to see tourist activity concentrated in Wailea and
Kaanapali. The state of Hawaii has gotten into the act as
well. Umberger told Undercurrent that the state has proposed
rules that would require shore diving operators to have a
county permit to park in or cross county property and another
state permit to cross the sand and enter the water.
"Unfortunately," says Umberger, "there is no mechanism in
the rules for ensuring that those who have managed to
obtain a county permit are then able to obtain one from the
state."
Local dive operators have retained an attorney to represent
them before the county and are considering hiring a
lobbyist to work with the legislators on Oahu. They've
received some funding from PADI and DEMA.