HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0687.022 1996-1998 I ~i,l P' '
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a 'ahana o Kahakalau
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P.O. Box 1764
HOnoka'a, Hawaii 96727
X808) 775-0867
kkahakal@makani.kl2.hi.us~;, ~ "
February 17, 1998
ATTN: James Arakaki, Chairman, Hawaii County Council
and all Council Members
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RE: Resolution to stop peddling along the Old Hanoka' a-Walpi' o Road
Aloha mai kfikou
We, Nalei, K~, 'I'inimalkalani and Pblanimakamae Kahakalau, residents of
Kukuihaele herewith strongly support the ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the
Hawaii County Code, Article 1, Division 7, Section 22-31 to include in restricted
areas, the old Honoka'a-Walpi'o Road, from its Northern end of State Highway
(FAS240) on the Waipi'o Valley side of Kukuihaele Village to the Waipi'o Valley
Lookout.
As residents living along the aforementioned stretch of road, and subsistence taro
farmers in Walpi' o, frequently utilizing Waipi' o Valley county road, we feel it is
imperative that commercial activities at the lookout and along the road be banned far
the following reasons:
First and foremost is our concern for safety. Presently this small stretch of road,
as you approach the Lookout is frequently very congested, especially on
weekends and holidays. There are tourists in rent-a-cars completely unfamiliar
with the area and therefore unaware that there is traffic in and out of W aipi' o,
huge tour busses who need to turn around or back up in this very small area, taro
farmers with heavy loads of taro coming out of Waipi' o, Waipi' o tour operators
waiting far their next clients and local residents enjoying the view. We have
personally driven up from Waipi' o Valley and found no way to enter the top
because the road was temporarily blocked by traffic and witnessed several close
(;crrnm. Dla~
2
calls, where it was a miracle that no accident occurred. ~ , ; ~ F~
P'!le xo.
~ PresenTed CouNc~!_
~~8 1 8 1998
1R~f. Dale
Our second concern deals with preserving the natural and cultural heritage
of Kukuihaele and Waipi' o, two culturally significant wahi pans or sacred
places. Presently the beauty and true value of this area lies in its rural
character, something that is threatened once commercialization takes place.
The major concern here is nat one individual peddling his goods, but the
fact that until restrictions are imposed other vendors will soon follow and
our area will look like some of the once beautiful places on Oahu naw
overrun with peddlers. No one in the Kukuihaele community will directly
benefit from these vendors, however, many of us will feel the negative
effects of their activities.
Many of our neighbors, especially those living right at the Waipi' o Lookout
feel the same way we do. However their cultural tradition of confrontation
avoidance as well as their strong affiliation orientation inhibits them from
publicly voicing their opinion, but personal conversations verify that the
majariry of people frequenting the lookout on a regular basis do not
approve of commercialization of this very special area.
For the above reasons, we feel that it is imperative that the Old Honoka'a-
Waipi' oRoad, from its Northern End of State Highway (FAS 240) on the
Waipi'o Valley side of Kukuihaele to the Waipi'o Valley Lookout be included in
the places protected from peddling in Ordinance Chapter 22, Article 1, Division 7,
Section 22-31. By not allowing commercial activities within this area, we the
residents of this area along with our children and those that come to visit, will be
able to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of Kukuihaele and Waipi' o Valley lookout,
much like out ancestors did for many generations. Mahalo f/o~r your kbkua.
Ka 'ohana o Kahakalau