Law restricts tour vehicles at Waimanalo beach parks

Mayor Kirk Caldwell has allowed a bill limiting the operation of tour buses, limousines and related commercial vehicles in most Waimanalo beach parks to become law without his signature.

Supporters of the bill had contended that the area’s beach parks are overcrowded with tour operators, but opponents had called the bill anti-business, saying it would worsen traffic and parking problems by encouraging tourists to instead traverse the area with more rental cars.

Bill 8 (2015) allows up to five permits for tour operators to stop at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park, also known as Sherwood Forest, from sunrise to sunset on weekdays with a maximum of 15 passengers per vehicle. The law will not affect professional film, photography and wedding businesses.

Councilman Ikaika Anderson, who represents the area, had said he introduced the bill to curb tour vehicles that clutter Waimanalo’s beach parks, maintaining that the community has waited too long for relief.

Commercial stops are already prohibited at Wai-manalo, Kaiona, Kaupo, Makai Pier and Makapuu beach parks, but Anderson had said his measure makes the law clearer as to those activities that are not allowed and gives the rule “some additional teeth.”

The Council voted to approve the bill last month.

Caldwell, in a letter sent to the Council last week, cited concerns that the bill disrupts the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches because the decision to provide a permit for an activity falls under the administration’s duties. He said the Corporation Counsel also raised concerns as to the form and legality of the bill and declined to sign off on it.