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November 12, 1997
Councilmember Dominic Yagong
Hawaz i County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, 96720
Subject: Fee for tourists entering Waipio Valley
Deaz Dominic:
The azticle in this morning's paper regarding charging a fee for tour groups and
individual tourists who wish to drive or be driven down into Waipio Valley prompts me to
write my ideas on this proposal. My history with the Valley is fairly extensive for someone
who is not a property owner down there. For over 12 years I have made regular trips
down to Waipio by foot or vehicle. Two of my very good friends are 20 plus year
residents, farmers, and home owners in the Valley. I base my comments on this
connection with the Valley.
First, I think your idea is an extremely good and necessary one. It will help
take care of some major problems I have observed and/or which have been related to
me about Valley access.
All too often I see regular, non-4-Wheel Drive tourist-rent-a-cars driving into the
Valley! Even tourists in 4-Wheel Drive vehicles can be a hazard because they are
unfamiliar with the rules regarding pulling over for vehicles coming up the Valley road.
having a "toll taker" wilt serve not only to collect necessary fees for mad maintenance but
should totally prevent non-4 Wheel Drive vehicles from accessing the Valley. Both would
be extremely important accomplislunents.
I do have some concerns about the legality of "just charging tourists" and I would
like to offer suggestions in that regat<t on the next page of this letter:
9aoar >tin.~____
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E ka o~ju kofo a ho oua to mar i u[u lza awa
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1
November 12, 1997
If it is legally possible to charge only tourists a vehicle fee to enter Waipio Valley.
then that is the best idea. I doubt this will be the case so I would suggest the fee be
structured around atryone who does not live in the Valley, own property in the Valley, or
does not work in the Valley. I realize some folks have homes by their taro lo'i and only
reside down there on weekends, etc. They should also be allowed free access. 1 5.
fee should be char¢ed to all others who wish to drive a vehicle into the Valley. Anyone
who is accessing by walking should be allowed to do so free of charge.
I wonder if there could be any problem from the rent a caz companies who include
4-Wheel Drive vehicles for rent, but expressly forbid them to be driven into Waipio? I
don't think any rent a caz comparry allows their 4-Wheel Drives to be driven into Waipio
and tourists sign a contract to that effect. Tourists who do drive down aze technically in
violation and therefore rental company is free of liability. Is there a possibility that the
County could get into trouble from Rental compatry's who forbid an act which the County
is accepting money for? Perhaps Corp. Counc>7 should check into this.
In conclusion, I think a "toll booth" idea is a necessary and critical move to make
for the futwe of Waipio Valley. Wet land taro for poi is extremely important agricultural
enterprise and moat be encouraged and helped as much as possible. Atoll operator
collecting money and explaining the Hiles will help this endeavor. If the money can be
used exclusively "to create interpretive displays at the lookout as well as for road
maintenance," then who can complain? This can only be a good thing.
Kindest re~gaz(d~s,
L-G~C
Ed Johns