Iroquois Point Beach will be open to the public beginning April 15, Ford Island Housing LLC announced today.

The scenic beach, on the private rental Iroquois Point Island Club community, has been blocked off to the public since the former Naval housing complex was leased to private developers several years ago.

The beach is on the southeastern end of 'Ewa Beach, at the western end of the mouth of Pearl Harbor.

Under the plan, the public will have access to a designated area from sunrise to sunset. One-day passes will be available at the front gate. There will be 23 public parking stalls, about 20 percent of the total number of stalls on the beach.

The plan permits water activities such as fishing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and surfing in designated areas. There will be no lifeguards on duty, so the public will be entering at their own risk, Ford Island Housing said.

The public will be allowed to use the restroom facilities but will not be allowed to use Iroquois Point Island Club amenities such as beach chairs, cabanas and palapas.

The Navy retains the buffer area along the shoreline and retains control of the Naval Defensive Sea Area.

"Ford Island Housing and the Navy worked proactively together to devise a positive solution that will create easy access for the public, while responding to the needs of local residents and, simultaneously, adhering to Navy security requirements," said Steve Colon, Hawai'i division president of Hunt Development Group LP, the managing partner of Ford Island Housing.

Colon said the area senator and representative met with Hunt and Navy officials on Friday to work over the final details.

"We are very pleased that the public's right and desire for beach access has been heard and that, by collaborating with the Navy and Hunt Development, together, we have arrived at a solution that will make it easier for the public to enjoy Iroquois Point," said Sen. Will Espero, D-20th ('Ewa Beach, Waipahu).

"This final plan enables the public to equally enjoy the beach that is available to the residents and their guests — and rightfully so," said Rep. Kymberly Pine, R-43rd ('Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Pu'uloa).

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.