On Maui beaches, sunbathers are being pushed out by beach chairs and cabanas

KAANAPALI, MAUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - - Maui beachgoers say they're being pushed out — by beach chairs and cabanas.

"When we get to the beach, the hotels have lined up umbrellas, beach chairs, cabanas. Just taking over the whole beach and this is public beach," said Lahaina resident Kai Nishiki.

Hotels are not allowed to pre-set chairs and cabanas on any public beach.

Now the state Land Department is investigating after multiple complaints.

Nishiki was there Saturday morning documenting with her own camera as officers inspected Kaanapali Beach, where the state says people can rent beach equipment from concessions, but the renter must be there.

Nishiki started a Facebook group called "Access Denied" calling for people to post potential violations.

"I didn't anticipate that there was going to be this much activity on it but it has exploded," said Nishiki.

She shot video last last week fronting the Aston At The Whaler on Kaanapali showing empty chairs with umbrellas.

Napili resident Randal Draper says he took photos around 4 a.m. the day after Christmas fronting the Kaanapali Alii Hotel.

"It's disgusting," said Draper.

Several hotels didn't immediately returned HNN's calls, but the general manager of the Aston At The Whaler on Kaanapali Beach is investigating.

The hotel subcontracts the beach concessions and they do know the rules.

DLNR says it responds to complaints and periodically enforces the rules, but does not have the manpower to enforce on a daily basis.

Copyright 2018 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.