Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 9, 1 September 1994 — Kahoʻolawe update: Commission adopts fishing, access rules [ARTICLE]

Kahoʻolawe update: Commission adopts fishing, access rules

bv Jeff Clark Two weekends per month, the general public ean fish by trolling in the waters 20 fathoms or deeper off of Kaho'olawe; at all other times, boats will be prohibited from getting within two miles of the island. The Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission has established administrative rules that will go into effect at the beginning of September. During a meeting held Aug. 10 in Honolulu, the commissioners approved the rules "with the understanding that communication and dialogue will continue with the general community and especially incorporating the concerns of the fishing community," said KIRC administrative assistant Momi Singson. Some fishermen expressed opposition to the rules during public hearings held this summer. Because the island and nearshore areas are still dangerous due to unexploded ordnance, the rules eonūnue the policy of no shoreline access without the KIRC's permission. Groups wanting to visit the island must make their request in writing to the KIRC, 33 S. King St., Suite 403, Honolulu, HI 96813. Singson noted that, during a period of lax federal enforcement continued on page 19

Kaho'olawe update from page 18 between the ending of the bombing by President Bush in 1990 and the island's transfer to the state this year, some boaters and fishermen violated the federal policy prohibiting use of the waters around the island. She added that the rules will be strictly enforced by the state. The weekends during whieh trolling will be allowed are Sept. 10-11 and 24-25, Oct. 8-9 and 22-23, and Nov. 12-13 and 26-27. Meanwhile, the KIRC still lacks operating funds. At the end of the last state legislative session, legislators said the bill funding the eommission had been lost. An earlier form of the bill — one whieh didn't provide any funding — was then resurrected and voted on. So until federal funds kiek in (Congress approved $400 million for the island's eleanup over the next 10 years, and the state will receive a portion of that amount), the Commission is left to depend on other state departments for money. "There is no funding at this point," said Singson. "We're hoping that federal money will eome through before the end of this calendar year. In the meantime, we're getting by on a shoestring."