The lesson humans have a hard time learning is that sometimes protecting something means making a sacrifice.
Shark's Cove is probably the second most visited snorkel/dive location on Oahu. At Hanauma Bay there are serious concerns about the effects of sunblock.
Here on Maui, the State has closed access to two spectacular snorkel coves, in part because of the damage people did "just" by walking on the lava rock.
As far as diving Shark's Cove goes, there is no need to enter at the elevator shaft. A diver can experience all Shark's Cove has to offer a diver from the beach entry. Entering at the elevator shaft is "fun" and many people "really like" to enter there, but often part of protecting something is giving up frivolous things that serve no other purpose than to be "fun."
Yes, every shore entry not made from entirely man mad structures causes damage to the natural environment; and even from man made shore structures the damage was done when they were constructed. What we should be looking at is limiting our negative impact on the entire planet, but more importantly to Shark's Cove, if every diver and snorkeler uses the same beach entry/exit we limit the negative impact of ingress/egress to that one path.
If you are not willing to give up something you love to make something you love better, do you really understand love?
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