HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0520.002 2002-2004 tab E MAU
NA ALA HELE
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Mazch 29, 2004 COUN1 - ~ ~.r~, u
To the Hawai i County Council:
I am testifying in favor of Communication #520, Resolution 161-04, "To Give Life to the
Trails DaylTrail Revitalization Day."
I am the president of E Mau Na Ala Hele, the non-profit trail group that has encouraged
the invoduction of this resolution. We have been an active trail hiking and advocacy
group on this island for twenty-five years. We have hiked, advocated for, helped
develop, and supported many island trails such as the Judd Trail, the Pu'u O'o Trail, and
the creation of the 170-mile Ala Kahakai Trail as a National Historic Trail.
We know how important trails aze as a living, walkable record of the history of this
island, as a means of access to important historic and recreational sites, and as a healthy
activity for fitness and family recreation. We want to celebrate ow remazkable island
trails and to make them known and accessible to all of ow island residents. This
resolution clearly states the historic precedents that keep our trails open and accessible,
from the eazliest days of settlement on this island, through Kamehameha's laws, to the
Highway Act of 1892, through the designation of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
in 2000, and continuing today.
Please pass this resolution. Establishing this "To Give Life to the Trails Day/Trail
Revitalization Day" will encourage the people of ow island to walk for fitness,
recreation, and rediscovery of their history on trails that are rightfully theirs by custom
and law. Trails are fragile, threatened, and easy to bulldoze over. They need your
protection. Yow passage of this resolution will set yet another important precedent that
the governing body of the island of Hawaii treasures its trails.
Finally, it will be a delight to celebrate this coming October 9, 2004, the first County of
Hawai i Trails Day, with some special and interesting public hikes on ow island.
Sincerely, ~n
Betsy Morrigan
President, E Mau Na Ala Hele
Phone: 328-8911 Cell: 938-4492
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