First photo: Haiku windsurfer Ed Knoyle launches Thursday afternoon at reopened Kanaha Beach Park. “I’m grateful that it is open, but I must say, I sympathize with the mayor’s situation,” Knoyle said. Thursday’s strong gusty winds had him using his smallest sail he said. One of the last county beach parks to reopen, Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino announced the reopening of the park Wednesday. The beach park is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The county says the park has been closed longer than others to make repairs to waterlines, benches and posts; to remove large debris and vegetation; and to deep clean restrooms. There also was a congregation of homeless people at the Amala Place entrance near the sewage treatment plant.

Second photo: A kitesurfer launches into the air Thursday at Kanaha.

Third photo: Kanaha Beach Park is open on a sunny, wind-swept day Thursday.

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos