Help to Stop Disrespectful Air Tourism
For more than 20 years, Kauai residents have tried to persuade the air tourism industry to control the problem of disrespectful air tourism on Kauai. But during that time, tour helicopters - and more recently, biplanes, fixed wing aircraft and ultralights - have continued to conduct and expand their noisy activities over neighborhoods, parks and camping areas. 20 years of community efforts to engage the air tourism to “fly neighborly” have been completely unsuccessful.
A new group has formed to address the worsening problem. Stop Disrespectful Air Tourism! (STOP-DAT!) is a coalition of Kauai citizens and organizations that believe that air tourism should respect residents. The group does not oppose air tourism; but it believes that air tours should not, and need not, create noise over residential neighborhoods, sensitive environmental areas, and cultural sites.
The group’s objective is the creation of mandatory, enforceable rules, for all types of tour aircraft, that will require air tours to stay away from neighborhoods and sensitive environmental and cultural sites. It also wants all air tours to comply with minimum altitude regulations and to observe “no fly” Sundays and holidays.
STOP DAT! will be kicking off its campaign with an informational picket and protest this coming Monday, August 4, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, at the entrance to the Lihue airport at the intersection of Kapule Highway and Ahukini Road. The protest will be legal, good-spirited and non-confrontational, and the organizers have worked with both the airport and the Kauai Police Department to receive the necessary approvals.
The air tourism industry has already begun a counter-offensive, telling the press that it’s just “a vocal minority pushing this.” So it is important that as many people as possible come out on Monday to show that our concerns are genuine. Bring yourselves and signs that express your opinion.
If you cannot participate on Monday, please consider writing letters to the editor of The Garden Island that express your concerns. The group’s website, www.stopdat.org, should be up and running over the next few days.