MAUNALUA BAY RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE (M-RAC)
Pursuant to HAR § 13-256-3, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) has established a recreation advisory committee for Maunalua Bay (M-RAC). The questions below address how the M-RAC was formed, how the public can be involved in the process of generating M-RAC reports and recommendations, and describes the qualifications and duties of M-RAC members. DOBOR hopes that the M-RAC will be a successful venue for the Maunalua Bay Community to provide their input on the regulation of safe ocean recreation in Maunalua Bay.
For a roster and bios of the
elected members, please click HERE
To sign up for notifications
regarding the M-RAC, please click HERE
MEETING AGENDAS AND MINUTES
| October 25, 2017 Meeting | AGENDA 171025 | MINUTES171025 |
| July 19, 2017 Meeting | AGENDA170719 & Info Handout | MINUTES170719 |
| April 12, 2017 Meeting | AGENDA170412 | MINUTES170420 |
| January 18, 2017 Meeting | AGENDA 170118 | MINUTES170118 |
| August 18, 2016 Meeting | AGENDA 160818 | MINUTES160818 |
NEW FEATURE: Maunalua Bay Interactive ORMA Map – Zoom in on any area of interest and click on a zone for a description of the rule(s) applicable to that area. DOBOR invites the public to utilize this map to submit their comments and/or suggestions regarding DOBOR rules for Maunalua Bay. Specifically regarding whether zone locations appropriately reflect current use and whether any changes in zoning or use restrictions may be appropriate.
Comments and suggestions may be emailed to: [email protected], or mailed to: Meghan Statts, 4 Sand Island Access Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96819.
General Information:
1. What is the Purpose of Forming a Recreation Advisory Committee (“M-RAC”)?
2. How many committee members does the M-RAC have and what user groups do they represent?
3. How did DOBOR decide what user groups should be represented on the M-RAC?
5. What was the selection process for M-RAC members?
6. What qualifications should a M-RAC member possess?
7. How often will the M-RAC meet and what are they expected to produce?
8. What is the hourly commitment for a member of the M-RAC?
9. Are M-RAC members compensated?
10. How long do M-RAC members serve?
11. What is the procedure to replace an M-RAC member who can no longer serve?
14. What power does the M-RAC have to change DOBOR rules?
15. Does the M-RAC have any say regarding issuance of commercial permits?
1. What is the Purpose of Forming a Recreation Advisory Committee (“M-RAC”)?
The purpose of forming a M-RAC is to have a framework in place to solicit public input on DOBOR rules for ocean recreation in Maunalua Bay. The M-RAC will be given short term (six mos), Mid-range (1-3 yrs), and Long-term (ongoing) goals which they will work to DOBOR and the Maunalua Bay community to accomplish.
2. How many committee members does the M-RAC have and what user groups do they represent?
The M-RAC consists of six members, representing the recreational interests, for both commercial and non-commercial constituents, of each of the following groups:
- Surfing (all types)
- Fishing (all types)
- Paddling (all types)
- Thrill Craft (Commercial)
- Dive (Commercial)
- Maunalua Bay Area Resident
3. How did DOBOR decide what user groups should be represented on the M-RAC?
The categories of user groups selected to be represented on the M-RAC were chosen based on the primary conflicting ocean recreation uses in Maunalua Bay. DOBOR is a state agency charged with maintain ocean safety and minimizing user conflict and therefore we chose membership representation based on ocean uses as opposed to representation based on location (i.e. neighborhoods) or other group affiliations (i.e. non-profit membership).
4. What if I have an interest in Maunalua Bay that is not represented by the six user groups on the M-RAC?
DOBOR recognizes that the recreational and residential uses of the bay are many and varied. However, DOBOR rules apply mainly to regulation of ocean recreation activities as well as commercial activity within the bay. For this reason, the six main user groups for the M-RAC were selected based on ocean recreation activities which DOBOR regulates.
This does not mean that other users and residents of Maunalua Bay will not be able to provide input and feedback as part of the M-RAC recommendations. The recommendations will be made public on the DOBOR website at least one week before the M-RAC meets at a general meeting to which all interested parties are invited. At the meeting other users can contribute their views and testimony on the M-RAC recommendations and comment on how they impact other activities and uses for Maunalua Bay.
Additionally, some uses of the bay are not governed by DOBOR rules and may be under the purview of a different state or federal agency, such as controlling invasive algae etc. DOBOR works cooperatively with other state and federal agencies but cannot made decisions or rules regarding issues outside DOBOR jurisdiction.
5. What was the selection process for M-RAC members?
M-RAC members were selected in a two-step voting process:
- Step 1 (July 1, 2015 – July 7, 2015): Participants nominated individuals (either themselves or others) whom they thought would make good M-RAC members. Participants nominated members according to the ocean recreation interest which they indicated represents their interest and stated why they think they would make a good representative of all interests (all types and both commercial and non-commercial) in that user group. From these nominees, the three eligible individuals with the most nominations who confirm they wish to serve as RAC members were selected. The top three nominees were asked to submit a brief biographical sketch of themselves that includes the years of experience in their area of expertise, their community affiliations, and an explanation of how they will communicate with their constituents.
- Step 2 (7/27 – 7/31): DOBOR sent out a second survey listing the names and included a biographical sketch. From these nominees, participants voted for the individual they felt were best suited to serve as members of the M-RAC.
6. What qualifications should a M-RAC member possess?
A M-RAC member should be able to work diplomatically with all individuals (all forms, commercial and non-commercial interests) in their user group and represent a moderate viewpoint. M-RAC members should have a minimum of three years’ experience in their area of expertise as well as local knowledge of Maunalua Bay specifically.
M-RAC members are asked to work with individuals in their recreation group who may have differing views or use resources or recreate in a different manner than the M-RAC member. The M-RAC member should strive to represent the broadest range of viewpoints possible pertaining to their type of ocean recreation so that DOBOR can make informed decisions regarding permitting or rule revisions.
If a nominee is employed in a state, federal or county position that regulates Maunalaua Bay, DOBOR may have considered the nominee ineligible to serve on the M-RAC if it would present a conflict of interest.
7. How often will the M-RAC meet and what are they expected to produce?
The M-RAC will meet on an as-needed basis to provide reports on specific issues as directed by DOBOR. The M-RAC will be asked to produce reports summarizing general public sentiment and providing specific recommendations as to each user group’s suggested modifications to ocean recreation in their area of expertise.
Any recommendations made by the M-RAC will be available for public comment before being submitted to DOBOR for consideration. Recommendations and reports of the M-RAC will be posted on the DOBOR website.
8. What is the hourly commitment for a member of the M-RAC?
The hourly time commitment for a M-RAC member will vary depending on whether there is a relevant rule or guideline that DOBOR is asking the M-RAC to provide input on. In the beginning, the M-RAC members may have to put in a greater number of hours (approx. 10hrs/wk) in order to establish communication with their constituents, set up public meeting times, and formalize a communication process with their constituents and DOBOR. DOBOR will share the list of names and email addresses of the community members who signed up with DOBOR to be a part of this process. DOBOR expects the RAC member to communicate, listen, and summarize all positions of their group.
9. Are M-RAC members compensated?
No. M-RAC member’s serve in a voluntary capacity and receive no compensation.
10. How long do M-RAC members serve?
M-RAC members will serve for a term of three years and may be re-elected.
11. What is the procedure to replace an M-RAC member can no longer serve?
If a M-RAC member can no longer serve, DOBOR will reinitiate the two-step nomination and voting process for that particular position.
12. What if the M-RAC member selected is only an advocate for one type of recreational use? Or, what if they do not communicate well with their constituents? What redress does the community have to select a new M-RAC member?
If an M-RAC member is not able to provide a well-rounded representation of their constituents, DOBOR will first attempt to work with the M-RAC member to assist them with methodologies to maintain better communication and provide a stronger representation of all the viewpoints of constituents.
13. What if I have an interest in Maunalua Bay that is not represented by the six user groups on the M-RAC?
DOBOR recognizes that the recreational and residential uses of the bay are many and varied. However, DOBOR rules apply mainly to regulation of ocean recreation activities as well as commercial activity within the bay. For this reason, the six main user groups for the M-RAC were selected based on ocean recreation activities which DOBOR regulates.
This does not mean that other users and residents of Maunalua Bay will not be able to provide input and feedback as part of the M-RAC recommendations. The recommendations will be made public on the DOBOR website at least one week before the M-RAC meets at a general meeting to which all interested parties are invited. At the meeting other users can contribute their views and testimony on the M-RAC recommendations and comment on how they impact other activities and uses for Maunalua Bay.
Additionally, some uses of the bay are not governed by DOBOR rules and may be under the purview of a different state or federal agency, such as controlling invasive algae etc. DOBOR works cooperatively with other state and federal agencies but cannot made decisions or rules regarding issues outside DOBOR jurisdiction.
14. What power does the M-RAC have to change DOBOR rules?
The recommendations of the M-RAC will be taken into consideration by DOBOR when deciding whether to modify existing rules or implement new ones. However, the M-RAC acts only in an advisory capacity and DOBOR is not obligated to follow M-RAC recommendations. DOBOR is first and foremost required to consider safety and equity for all ocean users as well as the minimization of user conflicts.
15. Does the M-RAC have any say regarding issuance of commercial permits?
If asked by DOBOR, the M-RAC can suggest restrictions or revisions to commercial permits for a specific purpose.
This information was last updated on: 01/07/2016