Obama’s Visit Closes Bay

December 30, 2009
By U.S. Coast Guard
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HONOLULU - U.S. Coast Guard small boat crews began enforcing a temporary security zone in waters of Kailua Bay Dec. 24. The temporary security zone is necessary to ensure the safety of President Obama and members of his official party.

The security zone will be in effect through Jan. 5, unless canceled earlier by the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Honolulu. There will be no public access allowed to the waters covered by the security zone.

Under the direction of the U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Coast Guard is coordinating closely with the Honolulu Police Department, Marine Corps Base Hawaii and other county, state and federal law enforcement agencies on patrols of the security zone.

The maritime security zone includes a portion of Kailua Bay, beginning at Kapoho Point and extending westward to the shoreline at Namala Place, near the Castles surf spot. The zone also includes the adjacent Kaiwanui Channel beginning at Kapoho Point to a point 85 yards mauka of the North Kalaheo Avenue Road Bridge.

Yellow buoys serve as visual aids for mariners to see the zone.

Under the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, the temporary law prohibits any unauthorized person or vessel from entering or remaining in this security zone. Any person entering the zone without the permission is subject to a penalty of not more than $25,000 for each violation or a criminal penalty resulting in imprisonment of not more than 10 years, and a fine of not more than $10,000. Offending vessels also may be seized and held liable for any monetary assessments.

“We recognize that this security zone may inconvenience some recreational users of the canal and ocean in that area,” said Capt. Barry Compagnoni, the U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Honolulu. “However, we have coordinated as closely as we can with the community and law enforcement to minimize the impact and still meet the requirements for security needed by the Secret Service and the president. We are hopeful the security zone will be unobtrusive and will not negatively impact very many ocean users during the president’s stay.”