State and city agencies, legislators and residents took a first step yesterday in trying to determine whether activities at the Kane'ohe Bay sandbar should be scrutinized and controlled.

Depending on who's speaking, the Kane'ohe Bay sandbar, also known as Ahu o Laka, can be a recreation site, a place deserving of respect or a source of food. At one time it was a platform for hula practice, but lately it's been the site of concerts attracting hundreds of people. In between, it's an ocean recreation spot where people arrive on their boats to play in the sun and water. Drinking is almost always involved.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources convened a working group at the State Capitol yesterday inviting many of its own divisions, police and fire officials, local residents and organizations and legislators.

People called for prohibiting drinking at the sandbar, requiring permits for concerts, banning concerts, setting up rules to make it a bird sanctuary and cleaning the area.

Several people spoke about the cultural aspects of the bay and the lack of respect people have when they party at Ahu o Laka. Ahu means altar or shrine in Hawaiian and Laka was an O'ahu chief who died there. Yet, people urinate in the water and desecrate the site, they said.

"Kane'ohe Bay is a library of culture," said Emil Wolfgramm, a storyteller. "History is embedded in those waters."

The state should protect the ahu just as it protects other important ahu on the Big Island, said Frances Kaluhiwa, a member of the Ko'olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club. Kaluhiwa said her organization is trying to teach more people about the concept of ahupua'a.

Roy Yanagihara, acting O'ahu district manager for DLNR's Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, said the state is concerned about protecting the resource and ensuring safety for people. Yanagihara said the testimony at the meeting would be sent out to people who attended and they would be polled as to what needs to be done next.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com.