A brawl at the Kane'ohe Bay sandbar on Sept. 3 has renewed discussion about rules that regulate activity — particularly alcohol consumption — on the 3-acre patch of sand.

At about 4:30 p.m. on Labor Day, Honolulu paramedics treated one man at the sandbar and transported two others to Castle Medical Center in stable condition after a confrontation involving dozens ended with an alleged stabbing, police said.

It's unclear whether the three men involved — all in their 20s — were intoxicated.

No arrests were made and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources is investigating the incident.

Sen. Clayton Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe Kahuku), believes rules allowing alcohol consumption at the sandbar and on boats may be contributing to what he called the "escalating violence" at the popular spot.

He is considering introducing new legislation to address the issue in the coming session.

"This is not a sandbar issue," Hee said. "This could have happened anywhere ... We're looking at the inconsistencies in the law as it applies to drinking alcohol. It's not about banning access. It's about looking at ways to limit human misbehavior."

Currently, there is no specific rule that prohibits consumption of alcoholic beverages at the sandbar, according to DLNR, which has jurisdiction over marine resources and boating activities. However, there may be applicable statutes that prohibit public intoxication, which can be enforced.

Last year, Gov. Linda Lingle vetoed a measure that would have made the sandbar — Ahu o Laka — a state monument, a designation that would have allowed the state to regulate activity there.

In 2005, Ahu o Laka was the site of two free concerts that drew hundreds of people to the small stretch of sand.

Both concerts ended in fights, raising concern about safety, drinking and littering at the sandbar.

Windward area residents and boat owners still disagree over whether new or stricter rules are needed.

"The general consensus among boaters is that they don't want increased regulations that would impose restrictions on the use of that land or the ability to enjoy that area," said Roy Yanagihara, chairman of the Kane'ohe Neighborhood Board. "They feel there are enough regulations already in place that are not being enforced."

Six officers with the state's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement were patrolling the sandbar on Labor Day, in anticipation of a large — and possibly disorderly — crowd.

Long weekends tend to attract the most people, said Ernie Choy, owner of The Deli at He'eia Pier.

He estimates about 200 people are at the sandbar at any given time on any long weekend.

Since the incident on Labor Day, "the boaters are talking about it," Choy said. "They're bummed. They hope nothing happens (in terms of legislation or new rules) from it."

Hee realizes that it's a small minority ruining it for the hundreds of people who enjoy the sandbar every weekend.

But the Sept. 3 brawl was an indication that something needs to be done.

"I would hate to have us react after somebody dies," Hee said. "But it sure looks like there's a pattern of escalating violence."

Yanagihara, who frequents the sandbar on his boat from his Kane'ohe Bay home, isn't convinced that imposing stiffer restrictions will be the best solution.

"When someone gets stabbed at Ala Moana Beach Park, we don't close down the park," Yanagihara said. "We don't talk about making new rules specifically for that park. Why would we do that for the sandbar?"

Reach Catherine E. Toth at ctoth@honoluluadvertiser.com.