Rock climbers and their supporters attended a public hearing in Haleiwa on Tuesday night, saying they support a legislative bill to give the state immunity from lawsuits involving their recreational activity.
"We support it. We think it’s necessary," rock climber Michael S. Richardson said before the hearing started.
While the state Senate has passed the measure, Richardson and other rock climbing supporters are facing an uphill battle to convince some members of the state House that it’s needed.
State Land Board Chairman William Aila said he plans to meet with the House Judiciary Committee and Chairman Karl Rhoads to explain details in the bill and get it passed.
"I’m optimistic," Aila told the Star-Advertiser.
The bill would give the state immunity from lawsuits if accidents happen on public unimproved lands, Aila said. That immunity is now given only on improved state lands, he said.
The recreational activity has grown nationwide and in Hawaii.
Richardson, interviewed before the meeting, said about eight rock climbing sites on public land have been closed after an accident involving a 12-year-old girl who was hit by a rock near the climbing area known as "the Wall" in Mokuleia.
"Essentially, all the areas have been closed," he said.
Richardson, who has operated a rock climbing business since 1999, said he doesn’t understand how 46 other states have allowed rock climbing activity but Hawaii has banned it from state lands.
Rock climbers said the bill would protect the state from activity similar to ocean recreation and skateboarding.
The bill has been supported by the rock climbing national group Access Fund, noting other states have passed immunity statutes.
But the lawyers group Hawaii Association for Justice said the bill is unnecessary because it’s doubtful a lawsuit would prevail if it took place on unimproved state land, and the state doesn’t need that kind of protection.
"I don’t know what they’re concerned about," said Association official Robert Toyofuku.
Rhoads said he’s trying to find out from the state administration why the bill is needed at all, since there seems to be enough protection under state law.
