Surf Cat

Commercial ocean activities at county beach parks will cease on Sundays and holidays beginning Jan. 1, Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino announced Thursday.

The mayor met with permit holders on Oct. 23 and has committed to not proposing increases in permit fees for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, the news release said.

He also will be requesting funding in next fiscal year’s budget for a study of the 14 county parks not included in a 2006 report of commercial ocean activities, which includes Wailea, Polo, Poolenalena and Waiehu beach parks.

A letter notifying permit holders of the revisions to the administrative rules was sent out last week.

“I want to sincerely thank our commercial operators for working with us and providing their input to help address this issue,” Victorino said. “Demand on our county parks continues to grow alongside increased visitor numbers, so I believe it’s vital that we strive to preserve our beaches for our residents.

“My hope is that our local children and families will be able to enjoy time together at the beach with more space and less crowds.”

Specific commercial activities affected by this action include businesses providing instruction for surfing, kayaking, scuba diving, windsurfing and kiteboarding, said county spokesman Chris Sugidono.

The major county parks included in the rule changes are Baldwin Beach Park in Paia; Cove Park in Kihei; Hookipa Beach Park in Kuau; Kamaole Beach Park I (including Charley Young Beach), Kamaole Beach Park II, Kamaole Beach Park III and the southern portion of Kalama Park from the sand beach at Cove Park to the southernmost parking area adjacent to South Kihei Road in Kihei; Launiupoko Beach Park and Puamana Beach Park, both in Lahaina.

The holidays included in the ban are New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Prince Kuhio Day, Kamehameha Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Statehood Day, Labor Day, general election day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.