HomeMy WebLinkAboutINDIVIDUAL COMMENT EMAIL -128928Mori, Ashley
From:
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2019 8:37 AM
To: General Plan
Subject: COMMENTS: scenic route from Waipi'o Valley Lookout
Hello,
I'm very concerned about the idea of creating a "scenic route" for visitors to Waipi'o Valley. I understand the
desire for visitors to see this special place. I do. But providing easier access to the Waipi'o rimlands and
ultimately the overlook will impact the local community, flora, and fauna in a negative manner. These are a few
of my concerns, just off the top of my head:
ROD. The construction of this route (and eventual traffic on it) has potential to harm our precious ohi'a trees
and spread this disease.
Management. We already have a problem with disrespectful visitors IN the valley. How will we make sure
that they are not being as disrespectful in the ecologically sensitive rimlands?
Money. This project does not seem like a great use of taxpayer's money and it adds more vehicles to an
already overburdened area. Want to bring in more visitors without causing such impact? Why not open up some
of our vast open spaces to foot traffic to draw hikers into some of the underused regions of the island?
Community. I don't live close to Waipi'o I'm in Ahualoa but even I recognize that this is not a good
way to create a community, or to make the people who live there feel that they have value.
Enough. Of course, this is not just related to the Waipi'o scenic route, but let's stop catering to visitors and
instead focus on making this island a better place for its residents. Sure we need tourism as part of the economy.
But there are better, more environmentally friendly options for doing so. (See my above suggestion about
catering to hikers. Also see: New Zealand, a country that is WINNING at this.)
Mahalo nui for your consideration.
Aloha,
Attainable Sustainable: The Lost Art ofSelf -Reliant Living (National Geographic Books, 2020)
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