Resolution 12-143 was deferred on June 25, 2012, in the City Council Budget Committee after dozens of people testified against it and not a single person voiced support.

This rejection was based on islandwide agreement that the former mayor’s plan to close and sell a significant 3.4-acre portion of Haleiwa Beach Park was ill-advised and raised significant questions.

So we were heartened on Jan. 31 when City Council Chairman Ernie Martin announced further rejection of Resolution 12-143 and announced a renewed city effort to maximize public access to this portion of the park by improving it for canoe paddlers and other beachgoers.

Martin rightly pointed out that the North Shore’s two major canoe clubs and future paddlers will benefit from a canoe halau on the mauka portion of the park, near Jameson’s restaurant. Also, the limited parking on the makai side of the highway makes additional parking a necessity, especially during large community events the area regularly hosts.

We are optimistic the City Council and mayor will help move forward the design and construction of a canoe halau at this safest and most practical portion of the park.

In addition, the canoe halau will complement existing efforts at adjacent Loko Ea fishpond, where Malama Loko Ea Foundation is working with many partners to restore the fishpond and educate young people and families about coastal resource management and Hawaiian cultural practices.

Martin has the full backing of our organizations as we work together with the city toward the permanent protection and enhancement of this 3.4-acre portion of Haleiwa Beach Park. We ask the mayor and the Council to consider the following:

» The Hui O He‘e Nalu and other groups are maintaining and caring for Haleiwa Beach Park Mauka under an official city Adopt-a-Park agreement. In addition, the Patagonia Haleiwa store has generously committed employees to help work at the park on paid time.

» The North Shore Sustainable Communities Plan approved in 2011 plans these specific 3.4 acres to be improved as "Haleiwa Beach Park Mauka" to meet the growing need for parks on the North Shore. Therefore, the community enlisted the pro bono support of a local planning firm, Townscape Inc., to assist in the development of the park to supplement and complement the city’s efforts. The North Shore Outdoor Circle is also committed to helping the park and is forming a beautification planning committee.

» Kamehameha Schools has offered a revenue-generating mechanism for the city to receive a monthly fee for educational usage and access to Loko Ea Fishpond. In addition, Kamehameha Schools has supported the ongoing stewardship activities at the park and is working toward including this area in its broader planning efforts for Loko Ea, Ukoa and Pu‘aena. There also may be opportunities to integrate the park into the work of the new North Shore Archaeology Field School.

» This is a prime location for visitors to enjoy Haleiwa town’s widest — and year-round most safely accessible — beach.

Done right, and with continued support, all these proposed improvements will increase the number of people who will safely access and utilize this special public asset. In turn, increased park use will trigger more community participation in the various stewardship activities in and around the park.

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Other co-signatories of this commentary are Aloha Sanborn, Manu o Ke Kai Canoe Club co-founder; Abe Lerner, North Shore Lifeguard Association president; Paul Carson, Patagonia Hawaii manager; Diane Anderson, North Shore Outdoor Circle co-president; Marti Townsend, The Outdoor Circle executive director; Bryan Amona, Hui O He‘e Nalu co-founder; and James Estores, Malama Loko Ea Foundation president.