They have jawed on about carrying capacities of Na Pali Coast State Park, of Hanalei River and Bay, of Makua Beach. They have promulgated rules. Most recently, they have been led into arcane and scholastic discussions about their very ability to regulate commercial activity at the state's beaches. Just as plainly, it gives counties power to regulate development that occurs within the Special Management Area on the mauka side of the beach. The outcome is a situation that is now egregiously out of control.
Boaters operate with impunity.
Enforcement efforts are half-hearted. Courts are filled with cases that may take years to bring to completion. Worst of all, the rule of law has been eroded. Political favors, traded liberally, have ensured that operators who scorn the state and county rules and regulations are now doing land-office business. Operators who have played by the rules have taken a financial drubbing.