HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

224

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REquests the department of land and natural resources acknowledge the aikau family's commitment to hawai'i's ocean and beaches by permitting the hawai'i beachboy preservation foundation to remain on duke's beach in waikiki.

 

WHEREAS, the world-famous beachboys were those individuals who served a distinct purpose on Hawaii beaches, perpetuating the Hawaiian culture, maintaining the integrity of the beach and surrounding areas, and having an in-depth knowledge of ocean currents, wave actions, canoeing, surfing, and ocean survival techniques, continuing a traditional Hawaiian familiarity with the sea that was passed down from generation to generation and incorporated the concept of ahupua'a, the inter-relationship between the mountains and the sea; and

WHEREAS, this type of knowledge was exemplified in Hawaii beachboys Eddie and Clyde Aikau (the Aikaus), whose expertise with the ocean is shown by their master skills in lifeguarding, canoeing, sailing, diving, and wisdom and understanding of the ocean, resulting in the Aikaus being the finest "big-wave riders" in the world; and

WHEREAS, the Aikaus' love, expertise, commitment, and respect for the ocean was taught, encouraged, and nurtured by their parents, "Pops" and Henrietta Aikau; and

WHEREAS, Pops' knowledge of wave currents, surfing, canoeing, diving, fishing, sailing, and traditional canoe and surfboard making has been passed down for many generations in the Aikau family, dating back to their ancestor, Kahuna Nui Hewahewa; and

WHEREAS, because of his demonstrated skill as a surfer, Eddie Aikau was selected as the first beachboy lifeguard at Waimea Bay on Oahu's North Shore, where he was dedicated to saving thousands of lives in ocean conditions considered life threatening even to other lifeguards; and

WHEREAS, in 1978, Eddie Aikau was chosen as a crew member on the Hokule'a voyage to Tahiti because of his skills and knowledge; and

WHEREAS, Eddie Aikau was last seen on March 17, 1978 when he sacrificed his life to save fifteen other crew members when Hokule'a was overturned by rough seas and high surf; and

WHEREAS, the book, "Eddie Would Go," was written to capture the essence of the Aikau family's historic commitment to the ocean, and this book serves as an impetus to young adults and as learning tool for students in grade school, high school, and college; and

WHEREAS, since 1977, Clyde Aikau's C & K Beach Services, Inc. has operated a beach concession on Duke's beach in Waikiki and also provided stable employment and benefits to Hawaii beachboys for more than twenty-five years; and

WHEREAS, C & K Beach Services, Inc. has helped many non-profit organizations by providing lessons in canoeing, sailing, and ocean knowledge by donating the use of surfboards, sailboats, and other ocean equipment and by volunteering their lifeguard services; and

WHEREAS, it is this history and tradition that the Aikau family has generously shared with Hawaii and the world that is so well known and their demonstration of a desire to serve the community through efforts to maintain and promote respect for the ocean to kama'aina and malihini; and

WHEREAS, recently, however, C & K Beach Services, Inc. had their permit for a beach concession revoked; and

WHEREAS, the Aikau Hawaii Beachboy Preservation Foundation applied for a permit, as an exempt nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation of the Hawaii beachboy tradition, but their permit was not granted; and

WHEREAS, the revocation of C & K Beach Services, Inc.'s permit and failure to grant the Aikau Hawaii Beachboy Preservation Foundation permit indicates the Department of Land and Natural Resources's (DLNR) lack of acknowledgement of the Aikau family as true Hawaiian beachboys and violates section 102-2(8), Hawaii Revised Statutes, a law exempting concessions from bidding requirements for a nonprofit beach service association dedicated to the preservation of the Hawaiian beachboy tradition place to protect these special individuals; and

WHEREAS, this DLNR decision detrimentally affects the livelihood of many beachboys and their families; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature expresses its support to the Aikau family as one of the great Hawaiian beachboy families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the DLNR, pursuant to section 102-2(8), Hawaii Revised Statutes, is requested to acknowledge the Aikau family's commitment to Hawaii as beachboys by granting Aikau Hawaii Beachboy Preservation Foundation a negotiated long-term lease to remain on Duke's beach in Waikiki; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Chairperson for the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and Clyde Aikau.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Aikau Hawaii Beachboy Preservation Foundation; Beachboy Concession Permit