A beach accessway to a popular surf spot in East Oahu could soon re-open, two years after being closed by the City over safety concerns.
Community members who've been pushing to get the beach accessway re-opened say they've gotten positive feedback from the City's new Parks and Rec Director.
This is what many would call paradise.
Breathtaking beauty off Portlock -- drawing crowds of spectators daily.
China Walls is also where many experienced surfers come, and jump off the rocky ledge.
But getting "into" the water is one thing. Getting "out" is another.
"On a rough day, if you get yourself in trouble you cannot get up at China Walls."
The current eventually carries you around to this spot known as Fingers or Hanapepe BROW, where it's much easier to get out.
The problem though is that this Beach Right-Of-Way has been closed since 2009.
But that hasn't stopped many surfers from hopping the fence.
"It's safer for you to come up here and jump that fence than it is to go up China Walls today, yeah?"
"Oh yeah."
Adam Kenner surfs at China Walls about once a month.
"Usually I get out at the wall but it just seemed easier today because it's so big," said Kenner.
"This is such an important access way to the community."
Ann Marie Kirk is a member of Liveable Hawaii Kai Hui, a community group that's been fighting to get Hanapepe BROW re-opened.
"This is church. The ocean is the church and this is the doorway to that church. The reason the accessway was closed is because of the trees growing into the access and breaking the walls," said Kirk.
Plus, the concrete steps are in disrepair. So is this ladder.
The City deemed it "unsafe" and closed it.
"But we're saying the safety issue is that it has to be open so people can not only get in but can get out safely," said Kirk.
And she says it's also needed in emergency situations.
China Walls has had its fair share of rescues.
"If an emergency happens, they can say hey I'm at 120B, and the ambulances are here," said Kirk.
Kirk and other community members met with the City's new Parks and Rec Director Gary Cabato last week.
Cabato, who initially didn't want to re-open Hanapepe BROW because he thought it was unsafe, said he had a change of heart.
He said he likes the idea of the City partnering with the community to get Hanapepe BROW fixed, and asked the group to submit a written proposal.
"So we're hoping that by the summer swell this will be down. That's our goal yeah."
The Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board also plans to discuss the need to re-open Hanapepe BROW during its regularly scheduled meeting tomorrow night.
