CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM
At the Kahanamoku Beach near the Ilika. Surf instructor, Mari Hill, was giving a surfing lesson to Tomoya Kakiyo, left, Tomoko Hayashi, Ayumi Kawase, Shota Oishi and Kaori Nakahara. The five are all visitors from Japan.
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Surf schools have infiltrated south side surf breaks so much it’s becoming impossible to catch waves, simply because the state Department of Land and Natural Resources has designated commercial surf zones to include outer reef breaks such as Pops, Threes, Kaisers and Ala Moana Bowls.
Why? These beginners can’t ride these advanced waves. All they do is drop in on us and disrespect etiquette. It’s creating screaming matches and violence.
I’ve witnessed terrified visitors and teachers fearfully swim back to shore, afraid of a beat-down from locals. It’s making Hawaii look bad. There are plenty of waves on the inside for beginners. Schools already have Canoes.
We’ve surfed here for years, generations, and it’s being ruined for local and visitor alike by poor planning. DLNR must change the designated commercial surf zone boundaries to fall short of these world-renowned outer surf breaks so we can all go back to enjoying surfing.
Michael Omohundro
Ala Moana
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