Beginning January 2014, the air at the beaches of Oahu, Hawaii will become a virtual paradise as smokers are prohibited from lighting up there and some other public areas. Personally, I’m all for the ban, but, I can see the reason smokers are going to be having conniptions over what they see as their “right” to smoke wherever they want.
The ban is to take effect at the first of next year.
Smoking in Public Places Ban Includes:
- beaches
- parks and playgrounds
- basketball and tennis courts
- softball fields
- public pools
- bus stops
Curiously, the ban was unanimously approved by the Honolulu City Council and does not apply to municipal golf courses.
It has been against Oahu, Hawaii Law to smoke within twenty feet of the entrances to:
- stores
- restaurants
- bars
- other places of employment
Hanauma Bay snorkeling spot has enjoyed a smoking ban since 1993.
Where exactly is considered the beach no smoking area?
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources for most beaches will enforce the new law from the high water mark to the water’s edge. But, beachgoers at Kuhio Beach Park won’t be permitted to smoke in the water either!
The penalties ($100-500) are fairly severe, but probably won’t stop some people from doing what they want anyway – risking getting caught. After all, people continually speed in their vehicles and pay hundreds of dollars in fines and get points on their drivers licenses that affects insurance rates. Will $100 keep someone from smoking? Apparently the fines scale for repeated offenses, but still… there will be people doing whatever they want. Is a billionaire with a smoking addiction going to hold off, or sneak one?
Guess who is going to enforce the ban…
Would you believe, THE LIFEGUARDS? How in the world are they going to keep people safe in the water, while worrying about someone smoking on the beach? I hope they rethink this ridiculousness.
So, what do you think about this new smoking ban? Is Oahu going to become a police state next? Are girls that are smoking hot going to get a ticket and fine? Will homeless people be thrown in jail for it, and, is this a way to give police another way to get rid of people they don’t want around any longer? Will a 13 year old be fined? Can you walk around with an unlit cigarette or cigar in your mouth just to tease the police into coming to see what you’re doing? What if you refuse to take the smoke out of your mouth – will they TASER you for it?
The answers to these, and other questions, no doubt coming soon after the first of next year.
They should have added sidewalks to the smoking ban
I am a tourist. I will never come back to Waikiki because everywhere Iwalk people are smoking. It is impossible to get away from. I travel a lot and never have been subjected to this situation. You also have to watch where you walk or you will trip over a homeless person. I was at a bus stop and a homeless man had feces all over him and the flies were following him around. He stunk so bad I had to gag. Not what I call a great vacation experience. Waste of my hard earned money.
Someone missed listing Hanauma Bay Beach Park where no dogs are allowed.
It is against the law to have DOGS on the beach as well..but I don’t see that stopping one person. Have NEVER seen lifeguards or patrol care whatsoever.
Hi Julie, Where do you mean? Which beaches? I also have a big problem with dogs running free on the beach. I love dogs, but one never knows when a dog is going to attack someone, especially kids. The dogs without leashes and dogs not on the beaches rule is there for some good reasons. Nobody wants their two-year-old playing with some dog’s doody in the sand either – right? Curious which beaches you’re talking about… Mahalo, Vern
For readers wondering what we’re talking about, there are some beaches where dogs are not welcome at all. Others require being above the high-water line, and others are OK for dogs on leashes. Dogs are not to be off leashes on the islands except on your own property and specially designated places (dog parks). Here is the list of beaches dogs cannot visit at all, according to the Hawaiian Humane Society (more info: http://www.hawaiianhumane.org/Dog-Friendly-Beaches.html):
Ala Moana Beach, Ala Moana
Banzai Beach, North Shore
Banzai Rock Beach Park, North Shore
Ehukai Beach, North Shore
Ehukai Beach Park, North Shore
Fort Kamehameha Beach, Hickam
Hickam Harbor Beach, Hickam
Iroquois Beach, Hickam
Kaena Point State Park Beach, Makua
Kahana Valley State Park Beach, Kahana
Kapiolani Park Beach, Waikiki
Ko Olina Lagoons, Kapolei
Kuhio Beach, Waikiki
Kuhio Beach Park, Waikiki
Magic Island Beach, Ala Moana
Malaekahana State Park, Laie
Nimitz Beach, Barbers Point
Pupukea Beach, North Shore
Pupukea Beach Park, North Shore
Queen’s Surf Beach, Waikiki
Sand Island State Park Beach, Sand Island
Sunset Beach, North Shore
Sunset Beach Park, North Shore
Sunset Point Beach Park, North Shore
Waikiki Beach Center, Waikiki
Yokohama Bay Beach, Makua