City Closes Portlock Beach Access

HAWAII KAI, Hawaii - KITV.com

They city has closed off the beach access to a stretch of Hawaii Kai beach, claiming it is unsafe for public use.

Crews put up a locked gate at the entrance of Portlock's Hanapepe Brow in Hawaii Kai.

Travis Sato and Jay Nakamura disregarded the locked gate.

"This fence is irritating and a hassle," Sato said.

The body boarders said the precaution is unnecessary. However, the city does not agree.

In August, the city put up the gate to keep the public out, citing hazardous conditions. Over the years the steps entering the ocean have deteriorated and the city said the railing is unstable.

Community members argued that restricting access only creates another safety issue.

Kyle Standford said the access is essential for ocean rescues.

"People die out here every summer," he said.

Standford grew up surfing China Walls in the Portlock area and said closing off the right of way is putting lives at risk.

"I constantly saw people paddling back and forth trying to get out of the water over here and I'm whistling 'Hey, no. Up here. It's closed,'" he said.

Standford and others provided the city with estimates to fix the problem, but the city said it is a liability issue to allow outside contractors to do the work.

"We are just compelling the city to take the gate down immediately because again safety goes two ways and work with the community," said Elizabeth Reilly, of the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board.

A spokesperson for the city said the fence will remain up until the beach access is determined safe.

Opponents also blame the root of the problem on an overgrown Hau tree.

"All of the leaves had fallen on the steps and the steps are not cleared. It's made a slope so there is no more steps," Standford said.

The gate is only for short term and is still working on a plan to fix the access, city officials said.

There are two other beach entrances for surfers and emergency vehicles to use in the general area.

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