Big News From Maui

[RickI]

Congratulations to the guys in Maui! It has been a long fought issue, it took a turn for the worse in recent months but good sense has prevailed, fortunately. Well done to Martin Kirk for succeeding after working on this issue so hard and so long (see below).

As a heads up, this same set of restrictions under the current FAR can apply within 5 miles of ANY AIRPORT in the USA. Another possible issue has come up on the east coast with these regulations and folks are trying to work things out to avoid harsh restrictions. Many of us fly within five miles of an airport so we need to be careful about managing complaints and concerns to avoid having repeats of the Maui experience. Being limited to a maximum inflatable size of 9 m may not reduce the number of flying days that much in windy Maui. This would NOT be the case in many other areas in the USA. I hope that this FAR can be amended to where this 40 year old issue for "kites" tethered by robes and cables can be revised to where it will clearly not apply to kitesurfers or at least have a lessor impact on the sport.

Rick Iossi

HKA E-NEWS MARCH 17, 2002

Aloha and congratulations!
The waiver from the FAA arrived today, Sunday, March 17. This temporarily removes the 5 pound restriction from our sport. The waiver is good for 2 years but now that we have it we will begin to request the addendum to the FARs they originally said they would write.
So there is no confusion over the waiver let me explain a few things. The waiver does not give anyone permission to ride where they want. We must observe traditional windsurfing, surfing and canoe paddling areas. If the weather is good this weekend we would like to have a cookout/meeting on Saturday afternoon at kite beach where we can discuss the 9 stipulations for the waiver (will send these out tomorrow) and how we will approach the Maui Boardsailing Association. We have already spoken to its president and intend to meet with him after our meeting.
The theme for the cookout is 'over 5 pounds'. Forgot who's idea this was but we like it. Bring over 5 pounds of ice, sodas, beer, hamburger, ice cream, cake, whatever you like.
Please keep in mind this waiver is temporary and can be revoked if we begin to ride in areas like Ho'okipa which has been set aside for other sports .
Happy riding!

Martin Kirk
HKA Maui Chapter
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