To: The Hawaii State House, The Hawaii State Senate, and Governor David Ige
Fair use of Queen's Beach, Waikiki (4) Sand Volleyball Courts
Queen's Beach, Waikiki, fronting the Honolulu Zoo and Kalakaua Avenue is the only public area with permanent anchors for sand volleyball nets. There is a large, well-established community of sand volleyball players who have been displaced by individuals purporting to have permits securing exclusive use of this public area for their organizations.
The community of players represented herein unanimously support the unlimited promotion of their sport; however, the organizations have increasingly displaced players on every day of the week and weekends during times of high use (after 3' pm -- after school and work ending times -- through 7'pm, sunset.)
If the responsible government agency has in fact granted permits allowing exclusive use, criteria for use MUST be reconsidered to insure equal opportunity to access this public space for enjoyment and recreation for all.
The community of players represented herein unanimously support the unlimited promotion of their sport; however, the organizations have increasingly displaced players on every day of the week and weekends during times of high use (after 3' pm -- after school and work ending times -- through 7'pm, sunset.)
If the responsible government agency has in fact granted permits allowing exclusive use, criteria for use MUST be reconsidered to insure equal opportunity to access this public space for enjoyment and recreation for all.
Why is this important?
The Queen's beach "Sandbox" is the only location on-island available to set up volleyball nets, and the current community of volleyball players have long used the space without conflict, inviting a constant flux of players at all levels. In the last year, no less than two organizations have secured exclusive use of the space to promote their "for a fee" volleyball programs. Additionally, college teams use the courts for practice and tournaments. The time available to individuals not affiliated with these organizations is now unreliable at best, and nearly non-existant. Furthermore, players have been told to take down their personal nets to allow for the organizations' use, because they have "permits" securing their exclusive use of the public space.
The expected "first-come, first-served" implicit rule that normally governs public spaces is exploited by some individuals who now set up their equipment early in the day, (during work hours, for example) and leave the net up when not in use to prevent use of the courts, effectively "reserving" the courts. Additionally, the organized teams, youth clubs, and fitness groups use each of the four courts, when there are others wanting to play-- and the organizations might be accommodated on one, two, or even three courts-- leaving at least one for non-organization use.
Your role, as a member of the sand volleyball playing community, with a vested interest in securing equal opportunities to play on these courts, is to take proactive action to voice your concerns.
Please sign this petition and describe your observations, suggestions and perspectives--- urging our representatives to take action to provide more spaces to play sand volleyball, or create statute that will result in fair and equitable access to anyone wishing to play sand volleyball on Queen's Beach, Waikiki.
The expected "first-come, first-served" implicit rule that normally governs public spaces is exploited by some individuals who now set up their equipment early in the day, (during work hours, for example) and leave the net up when not in use to prevent use of the courts, effectively "reserving" the courts. Additionally, the organized teams, youth clubs, and fitness groups use each of the four courts, when there are others wanting to play-- and the organizations might be accommodated on one, two, or even three courts-- leaving at least one for non-organization use.
Your role, as a member of the sand volleyball playing community, with a vested interest in securing equal opportunities to play on these courts, is to take proactive action to voice your concerns.
Please sign this petition and describe your observations, suggestions and perspectives--- urging our representatives to take action to provide more spaces to play sand volleyball, or create statute that will result in fair and equitable access to anyone wishing to play sand volleyball on Queen's Beach, Waikiki.