Mahalo to all for your support.
This is a monumental victory for us, “we the people”, collectively. This case was not about seeking justice for an individual or a single entity, but for all surf tour operators who were equally wronged by the flawed and inequitable permit process and issuance practiced by the State BLNR and DLNR.
Most of the public and surf tour operators at Kahalu’u may not have been aware that we were still battling against the large STATE of Hawai’i since Novemeber 2023.
The scope of this case extends beyond just Kahalu’u Bay surf operator permits. The State chose to use Kahalu’u Bay as its example for the future implementation of the same system, which would have been utilized for future permits issued by the agencies, such as boat moorings and ramp permits, across the entire state. By fighting and winning our case, we have now set a precedent. The State must uphold it's accountability, ensure transparency in its operations, and fosters collaborative partnerships with the community. Working with those who play a pivotal role within the community and contribute to the preservation of our island’s unique areas would be a great start.
BLNR/DLNR needs to better understand the significance and importance of each ORMA (Ocean Recreation Management Area) and the people and resources within it. Implementing a generic permit process across the board from ORMA to ORMA is neither realistic nor respectful to each place setting.
It is disheartening to realize that, among all the surf companies that stood to lose everything due to this flawed permit process, only our two companies, Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors and Kona Mike’s Surf Adventures, chose to take on this case and bear the financial burden to fight for justice on behalf of everyone involved. We sincerely thank those who have supported us throughout this process and invite them to share in this collective victory.
We are grateful for the judge’s decision and for the relentless hard work of our Attorney, Alex A. Edrenkin at Pacific Law Group, for taking on our case and guiding us through this entire process.
-Tifani Stegehuis
Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors