Hawaiian Surf Reserve Bill Goes Down In Committee

There are two things one should never witness, goes the old saw; the making of sausage and the making of law.

Recently there occurred in the State of Hawaii a good example of the truth of this adage. The Hawaiian Surf Reserve bill was tabled in committee near the end of the legislative session thus effectively killing the bill.

This measure had no real concrete effect, it would simply recognize some of the iconic Hawaiian surf spots as being important sites in Hawaiian history and as important to tourism and the image of Hawaii around the world.

The bill was introduced into the state senate by Senator Fred Hemmings. Senator Hemmings has his place in surfing history as a noted big wave rider dating back into the 60's and as the World Championship winner in the 1968 World Contest held in Puerto Rico. Senator Hemmings is retiring from the state senate and this bill was to be his last legislative effort.

I first heard of this effort via an email from my friend Drew Kampion, former editor of Surfer and Wind Surf magazines, back in February and I thought it sounded like a great idea. I posted this information on my blog at that time, along with subsequent posts as things developed.

It turned out to be more of a fight than I could ever have imagined! I was among more than 40 people who testified in favor of the bill to the state legislature in person or via email and other correspondence (email for me.)

The bill cleared the state senate but eventually died an ignominious death in the final committee hearing. I really don't understand why this happened but it seems to be a result of purely ugly partisanship. Senator Hemmings is a Republican.

Anyone who knows me knows my politics are anything but Republican but I don't see how that should play a part in a bill honoring surfing and Hawaii's famed surf breaks.

Aloha Fred Hemmings and probably the best thing you could do now is to paddle out and catch a few waves!