Hawaii Summary

HAWAII
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"Aloha mai nōo, aloha aku; O ka huhūu ka mea e ola ole'ai"
("When love is given, love should be returned. Anger is the thing that gives no life.")
- FROM THE TEXT OF HI 2003 HR 164

Attacks on naturism in Hawaii continue in 2007 and into 2008. Naturist Action Committee volunteers are faced with Maui County recurring resolutions and state legislation that have been introduced to facilitate the effort to have Little Beach declared to be "sacred," a preparatory justification for the elimination of nudity there.

MAUI: LITTLE BEACH
Skinny-dippers at traditionally clothing optional Little Beach continue to be threatened by the process intended to lead to a proposed new "master plan" for Makena State Park. Hawaiian sovereignists, led by local pastor, radio personality and folklorist "Uncle Charlie" Maxwell, are attempting to have the beach declared to be a location "sacred" to native Hawaiian culture. Despite historical evidence to the contrary, Maxwell contends that in his version of folklore, ancient Hawaiians abhored nudity, and so, modern Hawaiians should do likewise.

This is the exact same ploy that was used successfully in 1999 by the opponents of nudity to prohibit skinny-dipping and nude sunbathing at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park on the Big Island.

The Naturist Action Committee respects legitimate concerns about tradition and culture, but NAC finds Maxwells's sudden recollection that various sites are "sacred" to be disingenuous and contrived. When used as a tool to achieve political goals, the arbitrary designation of various sites as "sacred" is improper, disrespectful and unlawful.

NAC challenges the bizarre and entirely refutable notion that ancient Hawaiians, proud of their oneness with nature, nevertheless shunned their own natural bodies and found them to be offensive. Body shame was introduced by European missionaries, who insisted on clothing the native islanders. Despite what self-appointed raconteurs like Charlie Maxwell would have us believe, the cultural history of Hawaii as it pertains to issues of body acceptance did not suddenly and conveniently begin with the arrival of the missionaries.

KAUAI: SECRET BEACH
In January, 2007, the Naturist Action Committee exposed hired thug Sakae Takenaka as the so-called "Vigilante of Secret Beach." Richard Spacer provided NAC with information that helped establish the connection between the 60 year old Takenaka and nearby property developer Michele Hughes, who employs Takenaka as a private security guard to confront "trespassers" and expel them from her Secret Beach.

Section 115-9 of the Hawaii Revised Code prohibits the obstruction of access to public property at the sea or shoreline by means of a physical impediment. Among the impediments specifically forbidden by law are: "Security guards."

Obstruction of access to public property is a misdemeanor, with escalating fines for subsequent convictions.

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The Hawaii legislature meets from January 16, 2008 to May 8, 2008. Bills from 2007 DO CARRY OVER to 2008. Prefiled bills are allowed.

The NAC board member responsible for Hawaii is Allen Baylis.

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