Larsen's Beach Public Access Could Be Denied
Currently, two permits are being considered which would effectively block the use of the long standing publicly used trail to Larsen's Beach, leaving no usable alternative. The trail crosses private land owned by Waioli Corporation. This is understood, and access should be provided by a public right of way trail which is said to be there. State law requires public access, but in truth, the County-owned trail also appears to not be safely navigatable to the beach and is fenced off by another private landowner's property.
This petition seeks a public hearing and review on the matter so that in this catch 22, the beach-going public is not shut out of accessing Larsen's Beach. If the permits are approved unaltered, Larsen's Beach becomes a private beach for cattle rancher and lessee Mr. Bruce Laymon. The cows will get a great tan, the community and vacationing visitors get a possible trespassing ticket.
We the undersigned request that the public be allowed to safely continue to access Larsen's Beach, Kauai along the lateral trail. We are aware that the current path widely used for many years falls on private land, and the land owner has the right to that property. However, currently there appears to be no other viable alternative public path, which is required by state law. We, the undersigned, ask you to include a permit condition that ensures lessee will guarantee public access or clearly define a public access path which is physically safe and legally sound. As it stands now, if the permit is approved as is, the public is caught in a catch 22 with legal access to Larsen's Beach compromised.
We wish for a public hearing for a thoughtful, fair, win-win resolution. Also needed is definition of this public beach by current shoreline certification. The lessee's permits (Kaua'i County SMA-Minor Permit #2009-6 and the State Conservation District Use Appliation #KA-3525) should be denied and a new application submitted which addresses these concerns. Thank you kindly for your time.
