In a major development, the Hawaii State Board of Land and Natural Resources has extended a new opportunity to AccesSurf, an adaptive ocean sports program, by granting them a Revocable Permit for storage and parking space at the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. This approval marks a pivotal moment for the nonprofit, renowned for helping individuals with disabilities experience the ocean through adaptive surfing, swimming, and paddling programs.
An interview with Ann Yoshida, a trainer and innovation specialist for AccesSurf, reveals the core value of this development. "As a person in a wheelchair, understanding the challenges that we have in accessing natural environments, such as the ocean, gives people choices," Yoshida told the DLNR. With an annual record of hosting what it describes as 5,000 experiences, the organization profoundly impacts the lives of thousands of disabled individuals.
Prior to obtaining the 1,200 square feet of land now designated for their use, AccesSurf faced challenges in managing the storage of their essential, yet bulky, equipment. The new space not only offers a practical solution but also symbolizes strong community support, bringing stability to the nonprofit’s operations. With their equipment once dispersed across various locations, AccesSurf Executive Director Cara Short emphasized the importance of centralized storage for the smooth and efficient running of their programs. "We have all this equipment that is quite literally stored in a ton of different places, different vehicles, different homes, and storage containers far away from Waikīkī," Short explained in a statement reported by the DLNR.
The BLNR's unanimous approval of the permit was met with enthusiasm, opening up new opportunities for AccesSurf to enhance its services for the disabled community. The DLNR reported that board members expressed strong support for the decision and showed interest in AccesSurf’s potential growth. In response, Short shared that the nonprofit has recently expanded to Maui and already has programs on Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i Island, with plans to extend their reach across the state.
