A bill that would ban most commercial activities on the North Shore of Oʻahu is on its way to the full Honolulu City Council.
Bill 34 would allow certain exceptions, including professional filming and organized surfing events.
It was introduced by Councilmember Heidi Tsuneyoshi in response to complaints from residents about commercial activity at the beaches, such as weddings and surf schools.
"So when I went out to Puaʻena Point on an unscheduled site visit, Puaʻena Point was inundated with surf instruction," Tsuneyoshi said. "From point to point in the bay. No room for anything else — just surf instruction. Four different trucks in the parking lot by that area."
Committee Chair Augie Tulba expressed concerns about some elements of the bill, including how it would be enforced.
But the committee Thursday voted unanimously to send it to the full council for final reading on Dec. 1.
The committee also approved Bill 38, a similar measure that would ban most commercial activities at beaches on the Windward side of Oʻahu. It will go before the full council for a second reading.
