​Help us protect the Clothing Optional status of Little Beach - established over 70 years

ABUSE OF POWER

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Discrimination, Bigotry and Abuse of Power

We are here to end discrimination, bigotry and abuse of power directed at the Little Beach community.
Little Beach is a harmonious community within which are several overlapping groups.  These are the Naturists, LGBTQ, Surfers, Retirees and Drum Circle Fans, and Spiritual groups who regard this beach as their church.  All these communities are bonded by their common love and reverence for Little Beach.  This is a family environment, suitable for children of all ages.
The aloha and good nature of the Little Beach community has been echoed around the world resulting in it becoming a national and internationally acclaimed Top-10 naturist destination.  Little Beach brings many visitors to Hawaii who otherwise would not come.  It is a significant contributor to Maui’s economy and the US trade balance.
The only thing that threatens the joie de vivre at Little Beach is the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) which controls all Hawaii State Parks.  The DLNR bureaucrats make up their own rules that have the full force of law.  These rules criminalize normal human behavior that is perfectly legal under Hawaii State law at a beach 2 miles down the road.  The DLNR management, instead of promoting aloha, joy and community to make the State Parks a success (which is their duty under HRS §184-6), they are fixated on rules and enforcement, and restricting access.  That is the only thing the DLNR has ever done at Little Beach.  It has never cleaned the beach, not once.
For 33 years no nudity citations were issued at Little Beach because for 33 years no harm was done by nudity.  Enforcement of the State Park’s No-Nudity rule at this very secluded beach made no sense and the Hawaii State Parks website (associated with the DLNR) and 100s of others advertised that Little Beach is one of the few Hawaiian beaches where local police tolerate nude sunbathing - which was true.  Suddenly, on the whim of a bigot with no sound rationale, the DLNR has vowed to enforce its archaic No Nudity rule, posted offensive No Nudity signs around the beach, and sent armed police to raid the beach and issue “nudity” citations.
A National Poll shows 74% of the population believe areas should be set aside for clothing-optional recreation on public land (Q2).  45% would consider going nude at a clothing-optional beach if it was safe and legal (Q6) and 40% already have (Q4).  In contrast, the DLNR management have embarked on a bigoted vindictive campaign.  Their crimes and misdemeanors include:
  1. In March 2020 the first nudity citation in 33 years was issued.  This is willful discrimination based on dress code.  The DLNR is authorized to regulate State Park use under HRS §184-5 but not dress code or a bigot’s definition of morality.  Little Beach use is identical to that on Big Beach.
  2. In May 2020 Little Beach was closed for 4 weeks with an illegal fence and signage, while adjacent Big Beach and Black Sand Beach remained open. Excuse, a scuffle, resisting arrest, by a person never seen before or since.  It was an illegal closure under HRS §115-9, HRS §115-5, HRS §205A-28, HRS §184-6, and State Park rule HAR §13-146-4.
  3. In January 2021 Little Beach was closed for 9 weeks. Excuse, a previous isolated incident of reckless disregard for Covid Emergency Rules with no citations issued.  The DLNR management knew the overcrowding was only for 3 hours at a New Year Sunday Drum Circle gathering with 6 minutes of very close proximity dancing.  They knew it was not typical of regular Sunday evening Drum Circle gatherings.  They knew that the Drum Circle gatherings are not typical of Little Beach for the remaining 100 hours per week.  They claimed that the closure was for "public safety" but knew there was no ongoing risk to "public safety."  In the beach closure notice (with fabricated justification for closure) the DLNR declared the intent to penalize those who did no wrong (which is approximately 99% of the people who use Little Beach).  The closure was facilitated by installation of a gate that obstructs a registered lateral shoreline access corridor and is illegal under HRS §115-9, HRS §115-5, HRS §205A-28, HRS §184-6, and State Park rule HAR §13-146-4.
  4. From Jan 5 to March 13 2021 the illegal closure ruined hundreds of returning visitors’ vacations who come specifically for Little Beach.  It shows no aloha to lock out visitors who have traveled thousands of miles.
  5. From Jan 5 to March 13 2021 visitors coming to Little Beach were boxed in on Big Beach, the most dangerous Hawaiian beach for spinal injuries, not to mention broken limbs and drownings.  The DLNR management closed the much safer Little Beach with the dubious claim it was for "public safety” with no concern for the “public safety” of those on Big Beach.  They had lifeguards eliminated from Big Beach for cost saving, while money was plentiful for training new police officers, their graduation leis and new trucks.
  6. Upon re-opening Little Beach on March 13 2021, the DLNR management abandoned any Covid rule enforcement and pivoted to Nudity rule enforcement - proof of their bigoted agenda.  Garish red signs, with “No Nudity” topping the list, were mounted around Little Beach, but not Big Beach where the same rules apply.
  7. From March 13 2021 onward, the DLNR has issued 30 nudity citations – on orders from the highest level of DLNR management with the full knowledge that nudity did no harm.  Again, this is willful discrimination based on dress code.  Again, the DLNR is authorized to regulate State Park use under HRS §184-5 but not dress code or a bigot’s definition of morality.  Little Beach use is identical to that on Big Beach.
  8. From March 13 2021 onward, Little Beach was closed early on weekends at 4 PM.  Excuse, public safety based on one isolated non-typical event on January 3 2021.  Early closure continued after outdoor Covid rules were relaxed to the level of irrelevance and then fully repealed on March 1 2022.  These were, and still are, illegal closures under HRS §115-9, HRS §115-5, HRS §205A-28, HRS §184-6, and State Park rule HAR §13-146-4.
  9. From March 13 2021 onward, Makena State Park was closed early at 7 PM, knowing it would prevent enjoyment of the sunset in summer months and demonstrating no respect for the public or the law.  The pre-Covid closure of 7:45 PM was previously set by previous DLNR management “to allow people to enjoy the sunset.”  The 7 PM closure is illegal under HRS §115-9, HRS §184-6, and State Park rule HAR §13-146-4.
  10. From April 19 2021, the DLNR raised already illegal park fees for out of state visitors.  $10 parking + $5/person access fee.  It is illegal for a State to discriminate against residents of another state under law - US Constitution, Article 4, Section 2 and 14th Amendment, Section 1.  The paths via both parking lots are registered Shoreline Access Corridors for which obstructing access by action, e.g. a $5 fee, is illegal under HRS §115-9.  The original blue Shoreline Access Corridor signs (posted by Maui County to inform the public) have been removed by the DLNR.
  11. In October 2021 the DLNR misrepresented Clothing Optional Beach demand in a draft SCORP report to the Feds in support of a grant.  Facts: The DLNR has recorded that there is considerable demand for Clothing-Optional beach recreation. In the 2021 statewide SCORP “Report on Public Participation” there was an overwhelming 68:1 demand for/against Clothing-Optional beach recreation with many scathing comments about the DLNR’s abuse of power by harassing those who choose to be clothing free at Little Beach. The tabulation of most participated water-based activities ranked Clothing-Optional Beaches #5 out of 16.  Article.
  12. In February 2022 we discovered a 2-year-old DLNR conspiracy to secretly slash 107 parking spaces from the North parking lot that serves Little Beach - in the guise of improvements.  A new way to restrict access to the State Park and in particular Little Beach.  Article.
  13. The abusive and restrictive actions of the DLNR should be considered in the context of the Hawaii Constitution, Bill of Rights, Section 2, “inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness” and Section 4, “right of the people peaceably to assemble.”
We are here to end discrimination, bigotry and abuse of power directed at the Little Beach community.
JOIN Friends of Little Beach and sign our Petition

HOW YOU CAN HELP

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HOW YOU CAN HELP

FRIENDS:  When you become a “Friend” of Little Beach, you make us stronger.  You are part of our rapid response force.  If the DLNR steps up its harassment or does a 3rd illegal closure, we will ask our “Friends” to fill their inboxes from the Governor down.  It is vital that both visitors and locals join us.

PETITION:  When you sign our Petition for Official Clothing-Optional Status with return to pre-Covid hours, you are part of the long-term solution.  If they ignore us at 5,000 signatures, they will get it again with 10,000 signatures, and again with 15,000, 20,000 etc - whatever it takes!

DONORS:  Our organizers work for free and rely on your spontaneous giving.  Donations will be used to cover our operating expenses, legal consultations, and build a war chest for future litigation.

For all of the above, go HERE.

WHY GO NUDE

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WHY GO NUDE

You arrive at the nude beach.  You let your clothing fall away and feel free, connected to the air - your birthright.  No one takes any notice.  You feel strangely normal.  Every shape makes up the beach collage.  You play in the ocean and feel unencumbered.  When you step out you are at one with nature, equal to the turtle and monk seal.  Nature has found you and you can never go back.  The puritan bigots that forced you to wear wet cloth for generations have lost another one.