Part two of a two-part report on public reaction to a proposed state plan for park lands at Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon. Local residents spoke out last week on a state plan that aims to revamp how Koke‘e and Waimea
Part two of a two-part report on public reaction to a proposed state plan for park lands at Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon.
Local residents spoke out last week on a state plan that aims to revamp how Koke‘e and Waimea state park lands are managed and improved over the next 20 years.
They were invited to a meeting held by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources at a meeting held at ‘Ele‘ele School last week. At the meeting – which was run like the “scoping” meetings held several years ago by the Pacific Missile Range Facility – the public walked around and spoke to representatives of the DLNR at informational booths set up around the school’s cafeteria.
Brian Atendido said he is opposed to any cabin-leasing plan that would bring what he calls “vacation rentals” to the park complex and exclude local residents.
“It almost appears if they are going to make a vacation rental area that residents would be left out of,” he said.
Taking a different tack, David Au of Kalaheo said he supported the option that calls for the short-term and long-term leasing of the cabins.
“It is fair. I like the idea that it (the use of the cabins) will be opened up,” Au said. “I like the idea of giving the lease to a master lessee (to manage the cabins). That way it will be seem less like a private club.”
The assessment of park entrance fees was of equal importance to Alalam and others.
Alalam said he opposes imposition of fees that could discourage residents and hunters from using the park.
“(With park entrance fees in place) they are going to tell us where to go and where we can’t go. I say ‘no way,’” he said.
Keith Silva, a resident of Kekaha, said any plan to charge an entrance fees will discourage young hunters from using the Koke‘e region.
“How many young boys get into hunting. Something for them for do,” Silva said. “Fishing, deer hunting, goat hunting, pig hunting. All of it is going to change.”
Instead of hunting, those youths “are going to take drugs,” Silva said.
People were hot and cold about the proposed master plan.
“I don’t think the plan is good for local people,” he said. “The island is small. It (the park complex) is the only place that is left for us (longtime residents) to go.”
Brian Atendido also said that if entry fees are to be charged, visitors should pay, but residents should not. “We live here, we pay taxes,” he said.
But if residents, including senior citizens, have to pay to get into the park complex, perhaps an “annual or lifetime fee” of a nominal amount could be charged, he suggested.
Juan Wilson of Hanapepe circulated a petition at the meeting that challenged plans for an entry gate to the park and the assessment of fees.
The park complex is a “sacred place for Hawaiian ceremonies and celebrations,” and that access to the park complex should not be denied by DLNR “out of motivations of fear and profit,” the petition read. That petition, he said, would be sent to DLNR once signatures are collected.
Marsha Erickson, director of the Koke‘e Museum, said Hui O Laka, a group that seeks to preserve cultural and natural resources in the park complex, is moving to develop its own master plan for the lands.
Agor, meanwhile, said he likes the part of the plan that calls for “mandating improvements,” including work at lookouts that offer spectacular views of valleys and mountain ranges.
But he noted that the plan is “unrealistic” in this way: “There has to be a mechanism to ensure the funds that are collected are set aside for this park complex, and not go into the general fund,” he said.
Walter Berry of Hanapepe said he supported the option that called for no major work in the park complex.
He also said hunters should not see their use of the park complex cut back, because they kill pigs and goats that can cause severe damage to plant life.
Brian and Katie Atendido of Wailua Homesteads said they like the plan in general because it means major improvements in the park complex.
The Atendidos also said they are drawn to the park complex because of the open space and sense of freedom. They also pull out invasive weeds and brush when they can.
“We just enjoy God’s creation up here,” Katie Atendido said.
Others at the meeting contended DLNR would not necessarily do a better job of maintaining the park complex even with more funds in hand.
“I am up there (Koke‘e and Waimea Canyon state parks) almost all the time. I see the place grow and know how it has been neglected. It (lack of maintenance) is not just Koke‘e. It is all the state parks,’” Silva said.
State park officials have said that they have had to deal with budget constraints in the past, but noted that the maintenance of the park complex has been bolstered by the use of volunteers.
Lester Chang, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net.
