$10,000 – that’s how much you’ll have to pay if you violate the new rules at the Kaneohe Bay sandbar this 4th of July weekend.
The state has also installed safety buoys to help crack down on drinking at the popular party spot.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources have installed buoys surrounding Ahu O Laka, better known as the Kaneohe Sandbar. New rules prohibit anyone from taking drugs, drinking alcohol, or acting disorderly within the buoys during a three-day weekend. So come Saturday, DLNR enforcement officers will be on the lookout. Anyone caught will be told to leave. If they don’t leave they will be cited. And if they are belligerent and cause more trouble, the fine could go as high as 10,000 dollars.
"If you become belligerent there is a process for criminal prosecution and we hope we don’t have to get to that stage."said DLNR director William Aila.
The sandbar has become a notorious adult playground for drinkers during the holiday weekends. It turned tragic on Memorial Day weekend when two men got in a fight at the sandbar, which continued at Heeia Kea Pier. 26-year-old Nelden Torres died at the hospital after getting hit and struck his head on the pavement. Yet some boaters say the state is overreacting with the new rules.
According to commercial boater Rallen Caya, ""I think it’s just a few punks out there ruining it for everybody, statistically out of so many people out of four years there have only been a few accidents."
Rallen Caya works for Captain Bob’s Picnic Sails, which serves beer and wine when it’s anchored near the sandbar. With the new safety zone in place, the boat will not be allowed to anchor in its usual spot to serve drinks. But he says it just means people will drink outside of the zone.
"I don’t think it will be too effective if people want to drink beer they’re gonna drink beer, they’ll find a way." said Caya.
The state says the idea is to make the sandbar a pleasant place for families. The new rules are in effect for the next four months and only during three-day weekends that fall on state holidays. Manolo Morales, KHON2 News, Hawaii’s News Leader.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
