HomeMy WebLinkAboutINDIVIDUAL COMMENT EMAIL -128987Mori, Ashley
From:
Sent: Wednesday, October 30, 2019 5:04 PM
To:General Plan
Subject: Comment regarding the County of Hawaii General Plan - Waipi'o Valley Lookout & Rim
Aloha kakou,
The County of Hawai'i General Plan includes a study regarding "developing a scenic route from Waipi'o Valley,
Lookout extending mauka to connect Mud Lane at the entrance of Waimea and a scenic park with a viewing,,,
area of Hi'ilawe Falls."
I am writing to respectfully request that the county postpone any discussion or study of a scenic route to the
rim of Waipi'o Valley or scenic park near the rim of Waipi'o Valley.
At this time, Hawai'i Island is overburdened with tourists. Although we are all aware of the importance of the
money brought in by tourism; the host culture, land and residents are exhausted and resentful. Existing
problems relating to Waipi'o Valley, landslides, trespassing and tourism have not been solved. We must solve
the current problems before stumbling in to additional situations we are obviously incapable of managing.
Any future of tourism in Hawai'i must be based in responsible, sustainable, and equitable eco-tourism.
Another road and paved area for petrol guzzling cars, traffic and uninformed visitors is a step backward. It
doesn't fit with our current collective understanding of the climate crisis and fragile island ecosystems.
Much of the land in the Waipi'o area is privately owned, thus purchasing land would be complicated- and
most likely, contentious. Many residents have historical and genealogical ties to the area. This issue will
inflame hurt and resentment which is already being felt across the island due to various unwanted and
misguided development projects.
Rather than paving roads and building unwanted parking lots, we should be focusing on ways to restore native
forests and mitigate the prior environmental damage caused by sugar cane plantations. Uniformed and
unmonitored visitors have the very real potential to spread Rapid 'Ohi'a Death (ROD). Many people will be
tempted to trespass into other sensitive areas of the rimlands and valleys, further endangering themselves
and fragile native ecosystems.
Pohaha I Ka Lani are responsible stewards in the Waipi'o area. They have a thoughtful, informed and nuanced
plan to educate and monitor visitors. We need more indigenous led programs like POhaha I Ka Lani._Pertiiiips
additional funding or expansion of Pohaha I Ka Lani's current program would be a better alternative; as=
opposed to an unwanted and environmentally destructive scenic road and lookout.
Sincerely,
128987