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Council voting on Bill 11 Wednesday
Guides with Twogood Kayaks were onshore at Kailua Beach, preparing to launch ten kayaks to the Mokulua Islands Tuesday morning.
For 31 years, Bob Twogood operated kayaking tours off Kailua. He disputes the allegation, made by some Windward Oahu residents, that the shoreline and ocean is overcrowded.
"This is midsummer -- busiest time of the year, busiest month of the year and you look at the number of swimmers out here, there is almost nobody on the beach in the areas where we launch," said Twogood.
On July 1, the city started enforcing restrictions on commercial activity on the weekend. Regulations also require companies have a permit during the week.
Twogood said the city is not issuing permits. So, to avoid closure, his company and his competitor, Windward Watersports, are piling up fines. The situation could get a lot worse.
"If this vote passes tomorrow we go out of business," said Twogood.
Bill 11 would ban all commercial activities, including all kayaking tours from being on Kailua beach.
"This is Hawaii. That's all we have is like ocean and people come down here especially just for the beach and we have a lot of ocean. It's just one small amount where they do their kayaks," said Kaneohe resident Sharon Nowell.
In the months leading up to the final vote, the voice of support has grown louder, with residents leading the charge for a complete ban.
"The balance is really skewed in one direction and they are taking our beach property and people are taking it for their own commercial business," said Kailua Neighborhood Chair Chuck Prentiss.
The full council will vote on the bill Wednesday.
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