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"

Safety Leashes The MKA again urges all riders to use kite safety leashes. Recent situations have emphasized the need for leashes, especially when cameras or "slider ramps" are present. The riders are throwing their kites away to the point where up to four loose kites are drifting into the beginner area at one time. Remember that we promised the FAA that we would all use leashes when kiteboarding on the north shore. One alternative to the traditional leash for advanced riders is the "Captured Power loop" where riders have a release system that will keep them connected to the kite when they drop the bar. This reduces the risks to other persons by reducing the number of times a rider "disconnects" from their kite.

OOPs!! The New domain name for the MKA was mauikiteboardingassociation.org was in use by us for about a year, unfortunately our webmaster let the domain registration fee lapse. Before we could re-register the name, one sneaky individual grabbed the domain name and registered it themselves. When we contacted M.K., he refused to give it back. So we are getting a new domain name, ( a rose by any other name..). You all should bookmark these pages at the source and we will advise you when we get the new domain name.

KITE BEACH RESTORATION
MKA members and community volunteers have done an enormous amount of volunteer work to restore the area known as "Kite Beach". The work started in 2000 when the association and kiteboarding community members decided to move the kiteboarding launch areas from "Lower Kanaha" ("Lowers"), downwind to the beaches below (west) of Ka'a Point, the area now known as "Kite Beach".
Phase One "Clean Up"
The beach had been neglected for a long time and had piles of trash, tons of dangerous driftwood and logs along its length. One area had been used as an unofficial trash dump for years and had car bodies and parts, hazardous waste, piles of waste materials from building sites, household appliances, metal, glass and plastics. The Clean up project took two years with many weekend working parties, daily trash runs, the help of community work day programs. MKA funds were used to purchase some of the hand tools used in the project. The majority of the clean up costs were generously donated by several MKA business members.
We would especially like to thank Action Sports Maui and Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport for their community spirit and continuing support.
Phase Two "Restoration"
After the trash was removed the launch areas were still crowded with cars and the parking areas were minimal forcing beach users to park so close to the beach that kites trying to launch were jammed into the narrow strip of sand between the parked cars and the ocean. The existing parking area behind the launch site was separated from the beach by mounds of trash, when this was also cleared, it became more desirable to park there. Eventually the beach users agreed not to park on or drive over the immediate beach area. The launch area was freed from the hazard of parked cars. The launch site then became widened to point where it could accommodate the increasing number of beach users safely. The area is under the care of several volunteer groups who restore native vegetation and with the help of the kiteboarding association's volunteers, the perimeter of the beach launch was replanted with native plants. The natural action of the tides has brought fresh sand onto the beach in many places where cars used to park on dirt, rock and trash.
The beach launch at the western side of the storm water canal, formerly a navy sewerage station known as Kanzen, formerly a neglected beach and trash dump has now been restored to a natural beach that attracts bus loads of tourists and is enjoyed by dozens of kiteboarders and other beach users.

The Beach restoration project is the kiteboarding communities contribution, that demonstrates how kiteboarders are giving something back to the community. We would like to thank the volunteers, many of whom have spent hundreds and some thousands of volunteer hours to make this vision a reality.

Kite Beach "Action beach launch" 2002 after the restoration. This was a MKA kiteboarding community project. Beach clean up and maintenance volunteer work continues. To volunteer for foreshore clean up projects, contact; David Dorn - MKA clean up coordinator at (808) 205-0663.

A few words of advice from the MKA Pres.
RESPECT. Hawaiians have always highly valued the ocean. Access to the ocean, a precious natural resource for both fishing and recreation has always been regarded as a privilege. Many people use the ocean and its beaches for a variety of activities. Fishing in its many forms, including beach, boat and rock fishing, with nets and lines, as well as spear fishing, diving, swimming, boating, surfing, windsurfing, and even family beach picnics, are just some examples of activities that the Hawaiian people and Hawaii's visitors have participated in before the onset of kitesurfing. Kitesurfing is the newest activity on the scene and has to find its place amongst all the other water and beach activities. We need to share the space and time with others. We need to understand their needs so that we do not endanger, offend or injure anyone. Thus far, Hawaiian water users have been very tolerant of kiteboarding. Kiteboarders, for the most part, have been respectful of other water users and as such have regulated themselves with a code of practice that is based on common sense and cooperation. If we deviate from this duty of respect for other ocean and beach users we will quickly realize limited access to the water. Beach access could even be severely restricted or even eliminated.

Always follow the directives of the Lifeguards.
We need the cooperation and assistance of the Maui County Lifeguards. Many are very helpful and knowledgeable about kiteboarding activities on the North Shore. Please show them the respect they deserve and follow their directives at all times. Some of them are taking up kiteboarding and all of them will risk their lives if necessary to save you if you get into trouble out there.

Kiteboarding for Lifeguards
Maui County Lifeguards are encouraged to take kiteboarding lessons. The MKA believes that this will create a stronger link in the watersports community. The Action Sports Maui school would like to remind the County Lifeguards that they are still offering free lessons to the guards. Several lifeguards have already taken the training, and by all reports they are fast learners. The MKA applauds this effort and encourages other schools to join the program. This is great PR for the sport and the benefits will flow down to all kiteboarders when being rescued by a "kiteboard friendly" lifeguard.

FYI, In discussion is the marking and signposting of the Sprecklesville "Clear Way" to notify kiteboarders attempting to use these areas.

Sprecklesville "Clear Way" still in effect, 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.

April 2002, Maui Kiteboard Instructors Paul Franco, Mark Doyle and Ben Meyer took a kiteboarding Instructional tour of the US mainland. The Nomad Kiteboarding School visited many west coast cities providing; Instruction, information clinics and instructor training courses. Paul is a KISS certified I.T. The KISS (international teaching system) is taught around the world. The KISS programs provide kiteboarding safety protocols and safe teaching techniques for instructors and students. Paul lead the courses with the assistance of Mark & Ben who are both well respected kiteboarders. Mark had done his Instructor internship at Action Sports School, and Ben completed his Instructor certification on Maui just before joining the tour. The courses were very well received and had a The major sponsors were; Naish Kiteboarding and Action Sports Maui. The "Nomads" hope to make the tour annually in combination with their own competition schedules.

May 2002, unofficially home owners (and their friends) at Kauau and Sprecks have been launching at their ocean front homes. Technically they are not in violation of the FAA waiver as long as they do not cross the runway flight path. N.B. This was not put to a meeting of either association.

March 2002
On "the behalf of all Maui kiteboarders" HKA President Martin Kirk applied for and got a F.A.A. waiver for kiteboarding Activities on the North Shore. pertaining to FAA regulations; 14 CFR Part 101.1(a)(2) and 14 CFR Part 101.13(a)(4). The waiver applies to using kites over five pounds, with five miles of Kahului Airport. The Area off the end of the runway is still off limits. The FAA is not particularly concerned with the other areas. Technically the waiver allows launching upwind at sprecks but only if riders go directly upwind after launching.

Sept 2001, Due to the tragic events in New York City, the Red Bull "King of the Air" contest on Maui was cancelled. The sponsor stopped the contest out of respect for the people lost in the tragedy. Many kiteboarders on Maui had connections to people lost and affected on 9/11. A sad time for all of us.

Aug 2001, Kiteboarding Schools are urged to familiarize them selves with the county regulations regarding beach parks Information is available from the county on use of beach parks "Chapter 13.04".

The MKA is forming an advisory committee of members and industry representatives. Members wanting to participate should contact the MKA to get on the list. The advisory committee will make recommendations regarding kiteboarding issues affecting the MKA.

Click here for HKA report by Jeff Chang 01/15/01.

July 2001, A Wipika Kiteboarding Instructor's course was hosted at the Maui Sailing Center. The Wipkia system is internationally recognized teaching system that allows instructors and students to pass between schools with continuity. Wipika Instructor Trainer Paul Menta from Florida lead the five training day course Paul is a well respected Instructor in the industry who runs a large training center called kitesurf-the-earth and has published articles in magazines and produced a video. The content and presentation of the course was first class and there was a strong emphasis on safety and safe teaching techniques. Instructors from several outer Islands and Maui were represented. Alan Cadiz, David Dorn, John Holzhall and Avi Elkayhm from Maui received their Wipika Instructor Certifications. Wipika Certification Courses will be offered at these kiteboarding schools; Maui Sailing Center, Action Sports Maui and HST.

Reminder notice to Maui kiteboarders from the MKA Pres.
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.