HANG TIME
The newsletter of the Maui Kiteboarding Association

The "Maui Kiteboarding Association" was created "To promote safe and responsible kiteboarding and protect the access of kiteboarders to public beaches and waters."

Contributions to the News letter can be sent to,
"Hang-time Contributions"

June 12 2001 As we have been experiencing more traffic at Kite Beach lately, it has become obvious that many kitesurfers are not familiar with the fundamental sailing rules that apply to kitesurfers and other sailing craft. If you are uncertain of these sailing rules you are more likely to encounter situations that could result in a collision. There have been a few situations where kiteboarders thought incorrectly that they were "in the right", when in fact they were not. Click on the "Kiteboarding Road Rules" to review the information and become a responsible and informed Kiteboarder.

May 22 2001 From June 1st the Canoe Zone will be off limits for kitesurfers. The Canoe Zone was created at the request of the large Canoe community to provide a safe area where the Summer Canoe children's programs can be held. Mostly the canoes will be training close to shore in the bay just west of the canoe hale. There should be no kitesurfing at any time of day during the months of June, July, and August. The area extends two hundred feet from shore. The area extends from the rock wall at the canoe hale to the rocks at Ka'a Point. In addition kitesurfers should always stay two hundred feet away from Canoes.

May 15 2001 In anticipation of the increased use of the kitesurfing beaches this summer, we are asking all kitesurfers to shoe restraint when sailing near the launch areas. We have a limited number of launching places so in order to maximize their capacity kitesurfers should preassemble their gear away from the immediate launch area and then get a buddy to give them an assisted launch so that they can get off the beach faster and allow others to launch too. The kite beach launch is great for intermediate and advanced kitesurfers. Beginners should use the downwind launch at Action Beach. Or they can launch at "the Sweet Spot" just downwind from the Action launch. Remember to always give the fishermen plenty of room at all times even if it means changing your launch site. fishermen have right of way. There has been an official complaint from one fisherman about a kitesurfing instructor arguing with him. It is bad form to ask the fishermen to move!!. It is better to always be courteous to all other water users. Remember that fishermen are the ones who find our boards when they wash ashore far downwind. If you get tangled in a fishing line, you should immediately apologize and offer to pay for the damage. Maybe offer a beer or two to the fishermen to keep them happy. There will also be more local kids using the beach this summer especially on the weekends. If you see kids playing on the beach, NEVER launch or land over their heads. This is extremely dangerous and you risk hurting a child which would be exactly the thing that could have kitesurfing banned totally.

April 2001 Maui Kitesurfing "Maps Page" has been updated. Check out the detailed map of the Canoe Zone.

Interview with Flash Austin By Vern Wichers, January 2001 I caught up with Flash Austin in an effort to get the full story concerning the collision he suffered on the water at the hands of an emotionally unstable windsurfer at Lower Kanaha Beach Park a little over a week ago. Rumor was turning to myth and it was time we heard the true story as it happened directly from the man him self: Flash Austin.
Some of you may know Flash. I myself see him often at Kite beach here on Maui when he’s not on the road, and I often cross paths with him on the water. Flash is not just one of the best kite surfers in the world; he's courteous on the water and an all-around friendly guy.
When word of the incident filtered down to Kite Beach, soon afterwards, local kite surfers knew something was wrong: Flash is too proficient to get into a collision. Rumor of a confrontation on the water rang alarm bells since everyone who knows Flash knows that he's a total pacifist - a peacemaker if anything. Maybe it was someone else we thought… It couldn’t involve someone like Flash. Well it was… and here's the story as it actually happened.
V.W. - Flash, what kind of day was it when this incident took place, you know…how where the conditions?
Flash - It was one of those nice moderate days with small waves and light north wind, a great day! I was out practicing low altitude free style maneuvers, something I really love doing in those conditions.
V.W. - Where exactly were you kiting? We've heard all kind of places, even Ho’okipa!
Flash - I was about half way between the canoe House at lower Kanaha and Kite Beach, You know… where we launch from, and I was riding back and forth on a line with the old dilapidated canoe Hale [canoe house] that is half hidden by Kiawe trees. There was no one around, I had the area to my self and was having a great time practicing tricks in the waves out on the reef.
V.W. - When did you spot the wayward windsurfer? I say wayward because typically, nobody windsurfs that area. The wave at Lowers peters out just up wind and offers very little to a sailor on that section of reef. Not to mention it's the designated "fly zone" for kite surfing. The area is not very appealing for windsurfing and sailors typically avoid the place.
Flash - I was stopped in the water out on the reef in the impact zone after attempting a move. I was facing out when I spied this sailor riding a small wave and cranking up wind…at me! I thought: Did I go too far up wind, into the windsurfers? I stopped my kite overhead and waited for the sailor to pass. He held his course! I thought: Maybe he just wants to spray me and give me a scare. He was bearing down fast! At ten feet I had eye contact with him and I said to him, "You are going to hit me!" He did not change course, he just kept coming and BANG!!
My mind didn’t want to believe it was happening. The fin buried into my left shin opening it to the bone, then it slid up over my right knee just missing the artery. I was lucky for that and I know it!
The man at that point was in the water and shouting at me. It took me a minute to realize that he was challenging me to a fight. I looked him in the eye and said several times: "you did this on purpose, you know it and I know it". This seemed to quiet his verbal attack, then he sailed off, leaving me to bleed to death or get back to the beach on my own which I managed to do of course.
V.W. - Have you ever met the man before this incident?
Flash - If I did I don’t remember. He was later identified to me as the person who was behind the trouble with the FAA and other state agencies about a year ago concerning our sport. It seems he doesn’t like it - Kitesurfing that is.
V.W. - Did the man appear remorseful afterwards when confronted by lifeguards, or the following day when he was met by the Maui county police?
Flash - No. Not at all. He was aggressive and remorseless! I won’t repeat the things he said which were not so much personal as a reflection of his hatred of kite surfers or anyone it seems that does things differently than him. It did leave me with the impression that the man needs help and not just a little bit!
I'd like to stress here that his attitude does not seem to be shared by other windsurfers. This guy is a one-man assault team. A windsurfer I know reported to the police overhearing the man’s oath to take out a kite surfer one day soon while standing on the beach. This was about a month ago. I guess I just drew the short straw.
V.W. - How many stitches and how long will you be out of action?
Flash - Nine stitches and hopefully not more than three weeks. Naish has their new 2001 kites ready for testing and I’m needed on the job! It’s kind of scary having a physical injury when you make your living as an athlete.
V.W. - I imagine the boys at Naish aren’t happy with this situation.
Flash - No. Not even a little bit. They pay me to do a job and at the moment I can’t do it. I think Don Montague is relieved that it was not a more serious or permanent injury even though I’m of little use to them right now.
V.W. - Given the problems we’ve had promoting this sport here on the island and the issues we face, what are some of your thoughts about how the sport effects the island and our island community?
Flash - Think about it…before we were banished to this no-man’s land down here at Kite Beach, this area we kite surf in was pretty scary! This was a place where some knarly looking people hung out. I don’t know what they were up to, but it probably wasn’t good! Now look at it! The kite surfers here took it upon them selves to clean up the garbage, fix the road leading in and persuade the low lifes to move on. Now Tourists not only stop to look at the beautiful kites, they often stop and picnic on this previously un-visited stretch of beach. A large section of beach park that used to be ignored is now seeing more clean recreational use. A much better situation for the beach and the community. We thought we were getting a bad deal, but it turned out to be a pretty good one!
V.W. - Is there any kernel of wisdom you would like to leave us with from this experience?
Flash - Yes. Whether it is a surfboard, a sailboard or a car, with ill intent it can easily become a deadly weapon. Be careful out there, remember; It’s all fun.
After speaking with Flash I learned that the man identified in this assault was rumored to have been arrested previously on unrelated assault charges.

Interview reprinted with permission, from "Maui Windsurfing Online"

February 17, Kite Beach Clean up #2 The Community Work program director was very appreciative of the work we did and said that they will bring down a Tree Limb Chipper next Saturday (Feb 17) to clean up the mess. We will be chipping all the felled trees and limbs and spreading the chips around the trees and creating trails with the chips. Bring your Wheel barrels, rakes and chain saws along to clean up what we did last Sat. Hope to see you down there.

February 10, Kite Beach Clean up Between 20 to 30 kitesurfers showed up with shovels, rakes, saws and chainsaws We removed most of the smaller Kiawe trees and a lot of the undergrowth. The area has opened up a lot and we can now see the potential of the place. This goes to show what we can achieve together. Thanks to everyone who turned out to help. The tree limbs were stacked up ready for chipping

February 2001, Kite Beach Clean up Aloha, Just a reminder that this Saturday, Feb 10, starting as early as 7 AM, riders will begin the clearing process at kite beach of all the small saplings and scrub kiawe bushes as well as picking up all the trash. This clean up/development has been approved by Parks and Recreation and will allow us to create more parking and a picnic area. If any one has machetes, weed whackers, chain saws, front loaders, back hoes, leather gloves, wheel barrels or shovels, please bring them along. We have plenty of garbage bags and will have some gloves, as well. The community work program volunteers and the canoe club members have expressed their willingness to help also. And the community work program will ultimately bring in some heavy equipment, when needed. In addition, Premier Productions will be coming down to do some filming to document the progress. Thanks for your time and look forward to seeing you there.

February 2001, Letter to the MKA Hi Just wanted to tell you that, that couple of kitesurfers ,those last few days ,are very happy to surf at lowers among windsurfers, not observing FAA no-fly zone. When told that they are too close and "outside the" zone, I was told that it is me who should not be here -at lowers. I am a windsurfer and the last year I have been here I never had any problems and when the waves are big I always sail at lowers so are everybody else. As I don't know a lot about kitesurfing it is rather nerve wracking trying to water start and seeing kitesurfer next to you with the lines above my head. I have seen your map and now I know who was right. Mind you not many windsurfers and kitesurfers know the rules. I think you should place a board informing everybody about their rights and ways at the beach. It is not that windsurfers don't like kitesurfers, we just don't know what can go wrong with kites when they are so close to you in the water. It is difficult to mix two sports at the same spot, that's all.

Kiteboardmeeting kite beach Feb/3/01 The Maui Kiteboarding Association joined the Hawaii Kiteboarding Association and made a financial contribution to assist the HKA with the Promotion of safe kiteboarding. The MKA is working with the HKA to improve the image of kiteboarding and gain better beach access and improve launch sites. Parks and Recreation Department’s Volunteer Action Coordinator is changing the designation name from a Maui business to HKA/Maui Chapter for the Adopt-A-Beach Program. The clean-up area is from the Canoe Hale to the wastewater treatment plant. Everyone is encouraged to participate during those no wind days or times before 11 AM when we’re just sitting around. Signup sheets were passed around for, Public Relations Committee; Ben Quiseng, Julie Prochaska, Martin Kirk, John Holzhall and Hugh Stott. Legal Committee - Jerome Peterson. Safety Report Committee - David Dorn, Craig Powell and Martin Kirk. Writing Campaign Committee - Shane O’Neill, Pietro Porcella and Peggy King, Kite Beach Development Committee - Pietro Porcella, David Dorn, Garfield King, John Holzhall and Martin Kirk. Election of officers for the HKA maui; Secretary;Peggy King, Pres Martin Kirk, V.President Mauricio Toscano, Treasurer Shane O’Neill. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and to the above elected officers. Walk through of Kitebeach area, Site plans drawn up by kiteboarder/architect Greg Bayless were reviewed and discussed. The plans are one idea on how to proceed with the development that has been ok’d by the Parks Department. The area was marked off with yellow caution tape and plans to begin removing the small saplings and scrub kiawe bushes are planned for next Saturday at 7 AM. Gloves, tools and garbage bags will be supplied. Primarily, the HKA/Maui Chapter members will perform the work. Canoe club members have also expressed a willingness to help. In addition, the community volunteer work program director has offered to assist with machinery. This is a great opportunity to show the county officials that we are organized, to gain additional parking areas and to have a great picnic site. Please come down.

January 13, 2001 Kiteboarding meeting at 9:30 AM Canoe Hale at Kanaha Beach Park. Donnel Nunes (Pres. HKA:Oahu Chapter), Eric Eck (V. Pres. HKA:Oahu), Noel Mackisoc (HKA Oahu member) HKA/Maui Chapter. discussed canoe club request to not launch between kite beach and the canoe hale after 3 PM and not at all during June, July or August. This request, which is backed by the Parks Dept. and DLNR, is to keep the kids safe while they practice paddling after school and to keep the beaches open for kids’ summer PALS program. (This request came about from riders carelessly bringing their kites down near kid and adult paddlers. In the future, if we hear of incidents of canoe paddlers, windsurfers, spear fishermen or swimmers having run-ins with kiteboarders we need to address them promptly or we stand to face more requests to reduce our riding area.) Discussion on the agreement posed by the canoe club to collaborate with them was brought up by Julie Prochaska. She correctly pointed out the need to understand the implications of signing any aggreement. DONNEL NUNES (PRES.Oahu kiteboarding Association) Gave a background on the formation of the Oahu Kiteboarding Association and the events surrounding the formation of the Hawaii Kiteboarding Association. He pointed out how riders on each island have to deal effectively with their own Parks and Recreation Department and the DLNR. Stressed the need to self-police and to have an effective means to deal with riders who don’t feel the need to abide by adopted self-regulating and safe riding guidelines. Nominations for Maui representatives for the HKA were made; President: Matin Kirk, Greg Drexler and Pietro Porcella. V. President: Greg Drexler, Pietro Porcella, Mauricio Toscano, Scott Drexler, Fadi Issa and Pete Cabrinha. Secretary: Lisa Fleck, Steve Roan, Peggy King and Ricker Alford. Treasurer: Jimmy Lewis, Shane O’neill and Lisa Fleck. Open floor; Pietro Porcella: would like to see a monthly kids program and a statewide event to promote the sport. Martin Kirk: in one year would like to have a relay between the islands, starting from the Big Island and ending on Kauai. Read letter from Parks Dept. regarding canoe club and a letter from Chuck Patterson on kiteboarding incidents in California. Jimmy Lewis: Flash, hopefully, is pursuing the incident with the windsurfer legally. Jimmy’s suggestion is to keep a buffer zone around the demarcation line out from the canoe hale. Julie Prochaska: kiteboarders should get something in return if we are to sign an agreement with the canoe club since it’s inevitable that we have to comply with this "request". Shane O’neill: would like to see Maui Kiteboarding Association (MKA) representatives present at next meeting so could discuss having MKA as Maui Chapter. Chris Gilbert: wants to see the HKA involved in non-competitive events.

On November 24, 8AM, there will be a meeting at the lower Kanaha Canoe Hale. Kitesurfers are urged to attend to discuss adjustments to the Kitesurfing Zones to accommodate the Canoe Paddlers. Proposals will be discussed and voted on, so be there so that your voice is heard. The decisions made at this meetings will affect all kitesurfers on Maui.

November 20, 2000
The MKA has a new web address,  www.mauikiteboardingassociation.org
The MKA is considering joining forces with an association that is currently being formed to join the individual Hawaiian kiteboarding associations such as the OKA (Oahu Kiteboarding Association), and the MKA (Maui Kiteboarding Association). Hopefully the HKA will connect the individual associations into a collective voice for our sport. MKA representatives will be on Oahu on Sunday 26 November to meet with other association members to discuss common issues.

November 18, 2000
On November 16, 8AM, there was a meeting between Kitesurfers and community officials at the Canoe Hale at lower Kanaha. The primary focus of the meeting was the conflict between Outrigger canoe paddlers and kitesurfers. Representatives of the Canoe Club made requests that the bay to the west of the hale be respected as a Canoe paddling area. In particular during the summer months July to Sept. and afternoons after 3pm. Issues of better signage and self policing were raised. County Officials reminded all of us that we should take an active role in self policing our sport and enforcing our kitesurfing no-fly zones, or the authorities would have to step in and govern our sport externally.

November 6, 2000
On November 16, 8AM, there will be a Public Meeting between Kitesurfers and community officials at the Canoe Hale at lower Kanaha to discuss kitesurfing access issues in particular enforcing the No Fly Zones. All kitesurfers and interested persons should attend to hear the meeting.

October 22, 2000
There have been reports of kitesurfers attempting to fly at Baldwin Beach, the lifeguards are understandably annoyed. Baldwin is off limits to windsurfers and kitesurfers alike. These kitesurfers may only be tourists who don't understand the local rules, but it reflects badly on all of us. Since the kitesurfing community agreed to respect the FAA No fly zones it is no longer possible to do coast runs (down winders) from Ho'okipa to Kanaha. There have been official complaints about a recent incident and all Kitesurfing activity is being held under closer scrutiny.  There have been a lot of investigations into kitesurfing including covert surveys and head counts. The officials are gathering facts about our sport as they consider their legal position regarding kitesurfing. Kitesurfing schools at Kanaha were inspected by Police to have their permits checked. One school was unable to prove their legal status and was shut down on the spot. Certainly an embarrassment to all the kitesurfers involved.

September 5, 2000
There was an incident between a kitesurfer and an outrigger canoe at, Lower Kanaha Beach in front of the canoe hale. The kitesurfer was apparently unaware of the no fly zone and was sailing directly in front of the canoe hale. The kitesurfer verbally abused the crew of the canoe and basically told them to get out of his way. This incident has created ill feelings and has come to the attention of officials and community leaders. It is up to us to make sure that this doesn't happen again. We have to inform every kitesurfer about the Zones and ask them to respect other water users.

June 15, 2000
Email to the MKA,
Sirs,
I am a windsurfer that is employed by the Federal Aviation Administration here on Maui at the Kahului air-traffic control tower.   I frequent the lowers Kanaha beach area  several times each week.  I have been observing lately (while sailing), that a few of the Kiteboarders are starting to wander into the no-fly zone east of lowers.  I have talked with 2 kiters the past couple of days about it, and warned them of the dangers of infraction into the no fly zone area.  They were completely uncooperative and claimed they were in the fly-zone.   I tried to tell them they were too far east but to no avail.  Today, 1 kiteboarder was repeatedly in and out of the no-fly zone,  while another I observed was way east almost to sprecks until he finally came in to stop.  All of them always launch and stop in the approved launch site area as per your web page map.   That means launching and stopping in the approved area is being observed.
I told a female kiter a couple of days ago, that all it takes is one aircraft pilot or some kind of incident in the approach airspace, etc... to cause repercussion's that will end your permission to be in the close proximity of the airport approach/departure areas at our airport.   I asked the kiters I have talked to, to be very careful about their respect for the no-fly zone, but think because I am a windsurfer they don't have much respect for anything I have to say.
Please consider these things as important, because if a few are allowed to ignore the rules that your association  as agreed with us (FAA) to follow, then more and more will follow their poor example, and worst come to worst kite boarding could be banned from  more waters within proximity of airport property.   All it takes is a letter from the Air Traffic Manager to ban it and a lot of innocent kiters will suffer for a long time.
As a suggestion, you might erect a sign (as per your map) at the point at lowers showing kiters they are not to go east of the rock point just west of the canoe club.
Please know that even though I am a windsurfer and work for the FAA here, I am NOT an enemy of your organization or the sport of Kite boarding.   I think it is neat and hope you will continue to grow.   I think thus far, you have done a good job of self governing your new sport.   Just thought you would like to know what I have been observing so you could police it if you feel it a need.
Sincerely,                                     Steve Annis(US-4164) (FAA-ATSS)

January 11, 2000
A new "kitesurfing school" has been operating lessons at Kite Beach, Kanaha Beach Park without the legally required Permits and Insurance, This is not only illegal but has serious implications for all Maui kitesurfers. Any accident involving these persons, staff or students could result in a law suit against the County which would probably cause the immediate ban of all kitesurfing on Maui's County parks.

October 15, 1999
A meeting of MKA and other kitesurfing community members, Kim, Lenny, Eric, Pete, Chris, Joe, Dave, Jim and many regulars, met today at 11am at the Canoe hale to discuss the implementation of the FAA meeting's revelations. MKA pres David Dorn and MKA vice pres Jim Fosbinder gave a debriefing and summary of the FAA meeting for all those who weren't there. Members of the group put forward the need for serious self policing. The need for a public relations program was discussed for better acceptance from the windsurfing community and other water users. The NO KITESURFING ZONE has been redefined as, The rock wall on the western end of Canoe-beach of lower Kanaha up to Tavaris Bay. The Maps on the MKA website will be updated and signage is expected to appear on the beach soon. The MKA recommends that anyone intending to kitesurf the north shore be thoroughly familiar with the FAR 101 regulation. The longevity of the sport of kitesurfing on Maui’s north shore is dependent on every kitesurfer’s compliance with the sailing areas, Federal Aviation regulations, co-operation with other water users and maintaining the good public image. MKA wishes to thank all our members and other persons that attended the numerous safety meetings, steering committees and supported us during these last few weeks. The biggest mahalo goes to our kitesurf lawyer Jim Fosbinder for his tremendous efforts he made on our behalf, which included research, days of phone calls and faxes to FAA and other officials and for his no-nonsense presentation at the FAA meeting. He has even offered to support us in the event of supreme court litigation. He did this free of charge purely for his love of kitesurfing. The value of his contribution cannot be calculated because without his reputation and timely intervention we would probably have lost the north shore completely. If you ever see Jim at the beach, make sure you take the time to thank him personally. Someone commented at the meeting today that kitesurfing had too many egos (it was this guys first meeting), but I can safely say as one that has been to every kitesurfing safety meeting, that every kitesurfer at our meetings has been working together for the common good and everyone has put self interest aside to preserve our sport.

October 14, 1999
MKA Elected Delegation met with the FAA at Kahului Airport at 6 pm. Representatives attended the meeting from the Maui Law Enforcement Department, Charles Penque of the DNLR, air traffic controllers, flight safety officers, other members of the kiteboarding community joined the group. Jim Webb from FAA Honolulu gave an audio-visual presentation on the role of Federal Aviation and the duty of flight safety officers. The bottom line was that the FAA was concerned with aircraft safety. The MKA Steering Committee Elected Delegation appointed MKA Vice-President Jim Fosbinder to be spokesperson for the group. The FAA listened to Jim’s summary of our position on the FAR. Jim explained that the Kiteboarding Association was happy to assist with self-policing the runway’s clear way. There was an exchange of information on both sides. The FAA’s clarification of the regulation. The issues were;
The north shore of Maui is controlled by the Federal Aviation Regulations in an area that extends five miles from the boundary of Kahului Airport (OGG). All kitesurfers should get a copy of Federal Aviation Regulation 101. a printout of the regulation can be obtained from the FAA website: www.faa.gov. Kitesurfers intending to kitesurf on the North shore will have to comply with FAR 101 at all times. In particular FAR regulation 101.1 paragraph 2 which states that no-one may operate a kite weighing more than 5 pounds and FAR 101.7 which states that you may not fly your kite in a manner which is hazardous to persons or property.

Sprecklesville Clear Way, The FAA is particularly concerned with a clear way that extends beyond the end of the airstrip and climbs only 66 feet every mile. This clear way creates the aircraft corridor that must be maintained at all times. Sprecklesville lies directly in the path of this clear way/flight corridor. Therefore kitesurfers within this clear way/corridor are deemed to be hazardous to air traffic and will be subject to penalties allowed under the regulation that may amount to $1100 per offense.

Any kite surfer deemed by the air traffic controller to be flying in an area or in a manner hazardous to air traffic at any time will be subject to the same penalties.

October 14, 1999
MKA Steering Committee: Elected Delegation Met 4:30pm at Hi-Tech Surf and Sports to discuss the Kiteboarding Association’s position, as it would be presented to the Federal Aviation Department. The consensus was that all were prepared to self-regulate if a reasonable compromise on sailing areas could be reached with the FAA.

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