Resolution Requesting the Installation of Freshwater Rinse or Shower Facilities at Heʻeia State Pier - Passed by Board on October 16, 2025

 WHEREAS, Heʻeia State Pier is a popular public recreational facility in Kāneʻohe Bay

that supports numerous community users including paddlers, fishers, boaters, divers,

and visitors; and

WHEREAS, the pier serves as a launch point and training site for multiple canoe clubs

and individual paddlers who utilize the pier daily for cultural, recreational, and

competitive activities; and

WHEREAS, despite the high level of use and the physical exertion associated with

paddling activities, there are currently no freshwater rinse or shower facilities available

to the public at Heʻeia State Pier; and

WHEREAS, paddlers and other water users are exposed to brackish or saltwater

conditions that can lead to skin irritation, bacterial growth, and general hygiene

challenges when no rinse facilities are provided; and

WHEREAS, the lack of freshwater rinse facilities can discourage responsible use and

maintenance of personal and club-owned equipment, increase the potential for

environmental contamination from users attempting to rinse gear in the ocean, and

diminish the overall user experience of this important public resource; and

WHEREAS, other State-managed harbor and pier sites, including Ala Wai Harbor,

Haleʻiwa, and Kīhei Boat Ramp, have provided freshwater rinse or shower facilities for

the safety, health, and hygiene of users, demonstrating the feasibility of similar

infrastructure at Heʻeia State Pier; and

WHEREAS, the Kāneʻohe community has expressed consistent support for

improvements that sustain ocean access, cultural practice, and environmental

stewardship in Kāneʻohe Bay, including the provision of basic amenities that promote

safe and responsible recreation;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Kāneʻohe Neighborhood Board No.

30 respectfully requests the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR),

Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), to evaluate, plan, and install

appropriate freshwater rinse or shower facilities at Heʻeia State Pier; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of

the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Administrator of DOBOR, the Governor

of the State of Hawaiʻi, the State Legislature delegation representing Kāneʻohe, the

City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Kahaluu Neighborhood

Board for information and coordination; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the Kāneʻohe Neighborhood Board No. 30 stands

ready to collaborate with DLNR, DOBOR, and community stakeholders to support the

planning, design, and maintenance of these facilities, ensuring alignment with

community values, environmental sustainability, and public health.