Hawaii residents are pushing back against a homeowner who is trying to restrict access to public beaches near their property. According to The Daily Mail, the property owner put up a “road closed” sign and even hired bouncers to kick people off Anini Beach, which is in the northern part of Kauai.
That is illegal, according to Kauai County Council Chair Mel Rapoz.
“It’s our right as residents and even visitors of this place to be able to use the public access,” Rapoz said during a recent council meeting, SFGate.com reported.
“A huge pet peeve of mine is when private landowners take over public access. That just drives me nuts,” Rapozo added.
Officials noted that the owner does not live on the property and instead rents it to vacationers.
Local officials ordered a survey to be conducted along the shoreline to determine the exact locations of the public beach and the homeowner’s private property. However, the homeowner has refused to cooperate, prompting the council to pass a resolution asking the state to intervene and conduct the survey. They also want the state to issue fines to people who try to block off public access to the beaches.
“Public access is public access,” said Rapozo. “It doesn’t belong to the property owner, whether it’s an easement or outright pathway that was part of a requirement of a development or subdivision or construction of a house.”
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