WAILUKU - Maui County's park security officers would get the authority to write tickets for illegal camping, unpermitted beach businesses and other rule-breaking under a bill that received initial approval Thursday by the Maui County Council.
Park rangers now only have the power to observe activity in parks and warn people who violate park rules. To issue a citation for serious infractions, they call police. The proposal to expand the rangers' authority was discussed in council committee meetings last year, but due to a clerical error it was not passed by the full council before the end of the council's term.
The council voted 9-0 to recommend passage of the bill on first reading. The measure could come back for second and final reading at the next council meeting Feb. 6.
A big issue for the rangers will be enforcing the county's rules for commercial activities in beach parks. While many operators have obtained permits to operate surf schools and other activities, others continue to do business illegally, parks officials said. With expanded authority, park rangers could increase enforcement of unpermitted beach businesses by writing tickets.
But they could also enforce other rules, such as bans on drinking in certain parks. The county has six park security officers roaming Maui parks, and one officer on Molokai.
