At the end of a three-day sweep of Kalalau Valley and Na Pali Coast State Park, one man was arrested, 49 people were cited and state parks enforcement officers dismantled a 330-book library. Tuesday, the first day of the raid,
At the end of a three-day sweep of Kalalau Valley and Na Pali Coast State Park, one man was arrested, 49 people were cited and state parks enforcement officers dismantled a 330-book library.
Tuesday, the first day of the raid, 20 illegal campers were cited by officers of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement, for offenses related to prohibited camping and camping without a permit.
A 54-year-old man was arrested on charges of violating state parks rules. He was also charged with giving false information and resisting arrest. A second man who was previously cited was arrested after he left the park on an outstanding warrant issued in another state.
Officers also found a library they say contained about 331 books, magazines and other reading material. The library was flown out by helicopter. According to DOCARE it was located in a remote section of the valley and was maintained by an illegal valley camper.
The routine operation was the third and largest in the remote Na Pali Coast State Park this year, according to DOCARE officials.
“Anyone intending to camp in the park is reminded that they are required to have a valid camping permit in their possession at all times and they must comply with all permit restrictions and conditions. Nudity is prohibited,” said DLNR law enforcement chief Gary Moniz.
“We want the public to enjoy the natural resources of Na Pali, but we need to make sure that they are doing it in a way that does not degrade those features,” said DLNR Chairperson Steve Young.
Young said he hoped that people responsible for illegal campsites, trash and other prohibited activities will respect Kalalau enough to adhere to the established, permitted activities.
Among prohibited activities and items: Aircraft, loose animals, loud equipment and music, explosives, firearms and other weapons, golfing, drugs and alcohol, professional photography or recording, excavation, construction or altering archaeological sites.
Any person traveling past Hanakapi‘ai Beach must obtain a state parks permit whether they plan to camp. Special-use, group and camping permits are available up to a year in advance from DLNR, on Kaua‘i located in the state building in Lihu‘e.
DLNR says that people found to be in violation of the rules may be subject to fines, imprisonment and may have their gear and equipment forfeited.
The state parks department has no policy stating campers must check in as they start a trip, so it isn’t known how many users are staying without valid permits or how many drop their permits due to changes in plans.
People can camp legitimately at a rate of $10 per day, staying for a maximum of five nights. Payment is due upon purchasing the permit, and no refunds are issued. Camping is limited to 60 people during the summer months and 30 total in the off-season, with up to five names per permit.
Campers may stay three consecutive nights at Miloli‘i and five consecutive nights along the trail. Campers may not stay more than two consecutive nights at Hanakapi‘ai Valley and Hanakoa Valley.
The DLNR asks people who observe illegal activities in Kalalau or any other state park to contact DOCARE to assure protection of archaeological and historical sites and natural resources. Please call 274-3521 on Kaua‘i. A 24-hour enforcement hotline is available. Dial “0” and ask the operator for “Enterprise 5469.” Information about state parks and DLNR’s administrative rules is available on the Internet at http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr.
