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March 24, 2009 - KITEBOARDING ZONE SIGN INSTALLED

DLNR put up the long awaited Kiteboarding/Windsurfing Zone sign in Kailua Beach Park today. This sign, shows the ingress/egress area designated for windsurfers, and kiteboarders. It also marks the beach for the launch area.

This is a great step forward, and it would not have been possible without the continued perserverance of Anne Gasc. Mahalo to her and all those that put in efforts for this sign. Mahalo to DLNR, for it certainly would not have been possible with out their coorperation.

The sign means a lot of things, it means kiteboarders & windsurfers cannot exceed the "No Wake" limits imposed in the zone. It also means that this is not a launch area for kayaks, they have their own launch, ingress/egress zone. It is not an area for swimmers, and it clearly marks the swim zone. It means that kiteboarders should adhere to the limits of the zone, and avoid misuse of this priviledge.

May 28 2008 - Honolulu Advertiser Article on Kailua Beach Signage

Beachgoers await signs marking activity areas

February 15 2008 - Important ! Bill before the Senate to Restrict Kitesurfing

            Did you see this Senate Bill:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB2091_.htm


            There is a public testimony today:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/lists/getstatus2.asp?billno=SB2091


            Or you can e-mail testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov

January 06 2008  -  Local Kiters on History Channel

Erik Eck and Donnel Nunes starred in the latest Shockwave episode on History Channel, detailing Eck's kitemare at Mokuleia. If you missed it on Friday, be sure to check it out this Sunday. Eck's segment is at the very end of the show.

Shockwave : 06 - Shockwave
Airs on Sunday January 06 07:00 PM

The most harrowing rescue ever at Niagara Falls takes place as a suicidal man stands at the edge of the falls with his feet trapped in an underwater crevice. Then watch drag boat racing superstar Scotty Lambert as he is catapulted hundreds of feet and smashes onto a concrete island. Can two island residents of Montserrat escape molten ash as the volcano erupts; one is trapped in his car the other is racing down the mountain. Next, a nearly impossible helicopter rescue is the only hope for two victims of tropical storm Erin. Witness the Helistat, a huge experimental craft, consisting of a blimp supported by four helicopters as it crashes and burns on its maiden voyage, killing one chopper pilot. Finally will a kite surfer survive a fall 250 feet straight down?

July 26 2007 - Molokai Challenge - Cancelled !

July 25 2007 - Molokai Challenge - Crossing from Maui to Molokai

Info : http://www.molokaichallenge.com/about.asp

What:  The Molokai Challenge is a fun race or event from Maui to
Molokai to benefit Youth in Motion, a youth organization on Molokai.

When:  It is happening Aug 11th.

How Long:  It has taken about 45 min to 2 hrs depending on the conditions.

Cost: $125 towards Youth in Motion and the Luau and after party.

May 11 2007 - Loss of a Dear Friend

Our dear friend Phil Pickford died this past wednesday of natural causes, while at his home.

For those that knew Phil, he was truly a wonderful person. He was an active kitesurfer who lived in Kailua. Phil was full of life, a caring person, and was always there to give advice, or help to anyone. Phil was the eternal optimist, always bringing people up to the next positive level, casting away doubt and negativity. Phil was an excellent friend to all, and cared deeply about his family and friends. He charged life, and went for it in all respects.

Phil loved the ocean, and spent a lot of his time sailing in Kaneohe Bay, or kitesurfing in Kailua Bay. Phil was a brave, strong soul, who survived a serious operation for a broken back, that happened about 1-1/2 years ago while kitesurfing. His amazingly quick recovery, had him back on the water faster than anyone could imagine. We were all relieved he had recovered, and settled in for a long life ahead.

We all thought he was in great shape, and certainly loving life with his family of two young children and wife Diedre. We didn't foresee this coming at all. All of his friends and family are extremely shocked and saddened by his passing. We will sincerely miss him.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 20th, at the Kaneohe Yacht Club at 5pm to 7pm. All are welcome to attend. 

Jan 5 2007 - Kiters Save 5 from Overturned Canoe

Approximately 3:30pm (today Jan 5) a group of people were spotted struggling in the waves approximately 1/2 mile out in Kailua Bay directly off Kailua Beach. Apparently their canoe had overturned and due to the high surf, they were having a difficult time making progress back to shore. They had no rescue equipment, and possibly could have been in serious danger. Luckily, three local kitesurfers, Luke, Henrik, and Alex (sorry for lack of last names), heroically spent their energies in towing in each person back to the beach using their kitesurfing skills. They also notified the lifequard, who promptly notified rescue authorities.

All five canoe paddlers made it back safely, with the aid of Henrik, Luke, and Alex.

While Kailua Bay is a fairly safe place to practice water activities, it stretches over 5 miles, and can have turbulent conditions as we did today and the past few days during our normal storm season. Safety gear is important to consider, as you may find yourself in trouble and alone.

Thankfully, Henrik, Luke and Alex had their eyes open and were able to assist. 

Oahu Kite Club would like to recognize them as outstanding examples of kitesurfers.

Nov 13 - Kailua Wind Sensor Back Online !

It's been a long road to getting a new site installed for the Kailua wind sensor.

The previous site had issues with the homeowner and had severe damage due to the corrosive beach air after nearly 3 years in operation.

Now we have a great location, a great homeowner sponsor, and should be a faithful wind indicator for a long time to come.

July 9 - Beach Cleanup was a Success !

The Kailua beach cleanup was successful on Saturday July 8th.

Thanks to many volunteers, including members of OKC, and also Fred Hemmings and his wife.

We managed to haul out a huge pile of trash. Lots of trash leftover from the July4th celebration, and lots of junk attributed to homeless in the bushes. Some of the items included: bicycle frame, broken kayak carrier, a boogie board, plastic crate, mounds of burned out cigarettes, a football, cans of corn, bicycle wheel, and other parts, and a sledge hammer. Of course many, many plastic bags full of plain trash.

Thank you for participating to help keep our park and beach clean !

July 8 - Kailua Beach Cleanup - 8am

OKC is participating in a Kailua Beach Cleanup Saturday July 8. Our goal is to help cleanup all the debris leftover from July 4th, and whatever else we can find.

Come on out to support OKC ! And help keep our park and beach clean for all to use and enjoy ! Mahalos for your kokua.

Cleanup starts at 8am, see you there !

June 1 - Kailua Neighborhood Board Meeting Concerning Kitesurfers

The Kailua Neighborhood Board recommends that the City and County of Honolulu prohibit kite boards at Kailua Beach Park.

http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/nco/nb31/06/31junag.htm

KAILUA NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD

REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

THURSDAY, JUNE  1, 2006

KAILUA RECREATION CENTER

21 SOUTH KAINALU DRIVE

7:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.

April 29 Benefit for Sheldon Plentovich at BoardRiders

To be held at BoardRiders Bar and Grill in Kailua, there will be three bands and prizes. 7pm till closing. 201 Hamakua Drive. $10 cover.

Please come to show your support for Sheldon Plentovich, who is undergoing grueling chemotherapy to deal with her recent re-occurrence of Leukemia. She needs our help, and is fighting this deadly disease. Sheldon is a long time friend of many here on the island, she loves to kitesurf and is a great person all around !

April 21 - Kailua Beach Cleanup - 8am

Kite Oahu volunteers showed up today to participate in a beach cleanup. We had a number of members show up to collect a fairly large amount of debris, ranging from a real estate sign, to heavy amounts of encrusted fish netting. All in all it was a success, and the beach looks a lot better now.

Jan 25 - Kitesurfing Issue on next Neighborhood Board Meeting Agenda

Kitesurfing is on the Kailua Neighborhood Board agenda for next month's meeting on February 2 at 7pm. The issue will be brought up at 8:15pm. All concerned kiters and non-kiters should attend.

THURSDAY, Feb 2, 2006

KAILUA RECREATION CENTER

21 SOUTH KAINALU DRIVE

7:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.

Jan 08 - Be Courteous is our Message

The Oahu Kite Club's message to all members and kiters that visit Kailua, is to "be courteous" at all times. There is a lot to this, and covers a wide range of responsibilities with you as a kiter. Being courteous to all beachgoers, to all water users, and fellow kiters. The reason for this message is to continue to foster a safe, self-governing atmosphere, that will make us proud of how we conduct ourselves at the kite launch in Kailua. Remember it's up to YOU!

Jan 01 - Happy New Year !

We're off to a fun new year. Looking good with wind so far.

Dec 11 - Posting to the New Forum

We will be putting most of the information on the new forum. Important notices will still go here. Hope everyone is enjoying the wind !

Dec 11 - New Forum !

OKC just launched a new forum, that will be permanent. This is the latest, modern forum that can serve all our needs. Please click the forum button in the menu or go directly to HERE

Dec 06 - Winds Return

North winds opened up the week in Kailua. Monday was onshore and fairly light, with Tuesday a bit stronger. Swung around to normal trade direction, or close to it by the the end of the day, which provided a nice opportunity for an evening sesh.

Be extra careful during these infrequent wind patterns, such as North (onshore), which is quite common in the winter time. Give yourself extra time, and be extra cautious since the launching/landing is more crowded, and not the usual angle. Take time to help those launch and land, as well as familiarize yourself and others with the guidelines on the sign. Your kokua is much appreciated, and is important to maintaining our access in Kailua.

Nov 21 - Honolulu Advertiser Photo

Nov 19 - We need ALL kiters to help keep Kailua under control at all times

Nov 8  - Hope everyone is getting out there in Kailua ! Great winds and good waves lately...

OKC Board attending meetings for Neighborhood board and Parks & Rec

We plan to have a BBQ as a kick off meeting for our new club.

Oct 21 - UPDATE FROM OKC BOARD

October 21, 2005

Here is an update of the current situation on kiting at Kailua from the OKC Board and what you can do to help:

The initiatives to sanction kiteboarding at Kailua Beach discussed at the last Kailua Neighborhood Board meeting have been deferred to the Board's Parks and Recreation Subcommittee for a recommendation.  Several board members attended the Subcommittee meeting last night.  The meeting was mostly positive and the Subcommittee was open to hearing the kiteboarding side of the issue and OKC proposals to keep kiteboarding a safe activity on the beach.  No recommendation was made because the discussion was going longer than the chair felt appropriate so the discussion will continue at the next meeting.  The following concerns were brought up by the Subcommittee and there are actions items you can help with:

1.  Commercial kiteboarding instruction on the beach (we pointed out this is better than people trying to teach themselves)
2.  Kiters coming too close to swimmers, divers and kayakers in the water outside the swim zone
3.  Kiters riding in the shorebreak
4.  Congestion in the launch area especially at prime  beachgoing times and on weekends
5.  Kite lines strewn on the beach and in the park and kites left parked on the beach and in the park

The OKC's position is that a lot of the concerns above can be addressed by our membership educating visiting and errant kiters who are unaware of or choose to ignore our guidelines.  This worked 6 years ago when kiting was new and bans were talked about and we are confident it can work again.

This is how you can help:

1.  Become familiar with the guidelines: www.kiteoahu.com click "Safety Guidelines", they are also posted on the sign by the log and we are getting a new one made.  Other problem areas brought up by the subcommittee can be solved if we address the following:

-No kiteboarding in the shorebreak in any part of Kailua bay because it frightens people and it is potentially dangerous.

-Stay FAR away from swimmers and other ocean users even if they are outside the swim zone 200 ft. is recommended.

-Treat the first 200 ft. from shore as a no wake zone, go slow.  Use this first 200 ft. only for ingress and egress to and from the beach and keep kite sessions farther offshore.

-Don't launch or fly kites in front of or just up wind of Joe's house (2nd house down from launch area with flagpole).  It directly causes problems for the entire kiteboarding community.

-Deflate unused kites, especially don't leave them on the beach.

2.  If you see a problem, politely and tactfully educate the kiter using these steps:

a.  Talk to the kiter politely but firmly, explain the reason for the guidelines and why we need his/her cooperation.
b.  If that doesn't work go back and do the same thing with a group of OKC members, this usually works.
c.  If that still doesn't work deflate LE.
d.  If the person becomes violent call police.  Never get into an altercation or yelling match with the offender.

3.  During busy periods like the midday on weekends it would be great if membership could sit on the log and be pro-active in keeping things in order by helping to launch and land kites and educate visiting and errant kiters.  This isn't the best time to kite anyway so why not be productive.

In conclusion, the subcommittee was very open to discussion and really would not have a problem at all with kiting if kiters would launch and immediately go offshore (500'+) to kite.  Your kokua in making this happen is appreciated.

Mahalo,

OKC Board

Oct 7 - Meeting October 07 at 7pm at Erik Eck's house was held.

To discuss recent issues in the Kailua Beach park, and ways to help keep things safe and access open.