Haena relishing peace; can we protect it?
As immediate needs are being addressed and taken care of in the aftermath of the record- breaking Kauai flood, the reality of reintroducing the outside world to an isolated Haena community is one that should be handled with care.
A mighty storm seems to be a way nature calls attention to herself. A reset button has been pushed, and life here in Haena has traveled back in time. I have never seen some of our most cherished kupuna so happy to relish in the slow of an island that has picked up speed to match itself with a fast-paced world.
Keiki are riding bikes, mamas are strolling babies and pedestrians are using the roadside without the dangers of fast-moving vehicles rushing to get to an overpopulated beach or trail.
One can plainly see why others come to visit a place of such profound peace and beauty, but we must realize that when the spirit of a place and people get inundated with an unspeakable trafficking of rental cars and their occupants, the peace that one comes for slips through the cracks of an unsustainable infrastructure and over-maxing holding capacity.
Not to mention the complication of side-road parking that has turned a double lane highway into a single one, making it dangerously complicated for emergency vehicles to reach their call.
So the big question speaks bold.
How will we choose to use this opportunity to reinvent better and creatively sensitive ways to share in the sacredness of an ancient place?
Anything is possible, and our limitations of working solutions are our own.
Shuttles that start from Hanalei and/or Princeville could be an idea? This would not only limit vehicles, but would also put a cap on the amount of daily visitors. Imagine how much more special a visitor’s experience would be to witness a place in its authentic form, and how much more welcoming those living here would be, as there would be a sense of provided balance and care.
This is simply a perspective of an island girl who was raised here and remembers a time with no traffic lights and garage tables lined with newspaper and the feasting of fresh-caught crab. Uncles would be strumming their homemade string instruments and there would be singing all night long. It was slow, and I understand that times have changed, but, please, not at the expense of an island that holds us so well.
Alison Chuang, Haena
It’s all about the tourists, they own you!!
Debra for Mayor Lenny! Oh yeah your comment is also distorted…..Wrong! it is the LLC, corporations, funded nonprofit 501c3 that THINK they “own” OR that somehow corporates are above the law free from being sued! That is one of the bigger reasons businesses go corporate. Standing near or on top of that, is the militaropolitico aspects of “own”. Zuckerberg tgi front page top and bottom Federal law suit against UNcredentialed unrelenting american judicial terrorism county and state backing these folks 3-raids, that WE the tax payers paid for. Hombres from Oahu brought to play Wailuanuiahoano, blocking kuamoo where another group were activate to remove coco palms people! Then three big green containers staged at auwai, filled, and removed to a supposed special location due to the significance of artifacts within the bins, ARCHEOLOGICALLY significant? altogether county attorney, mayor is talking purchasing lands of vacay rentals as it applies to hanalei disaster. NO one “OWN” These folks all be singing and dancing their praises for a vote instead of watching carefully what Zuckerbergs plans are! It is a care less croud of strange people that care less about Lahui! We the People remain victims no longer. Lahui Rising. Stand by!
Make Wianiha to Haena a walking/ hiking town. Only local traffic, shuttle services (going through once every hour), and emergency vehicles may travel on a one lane road.
Tourist would enjoy hiking and seeing the old Hawaii lifestyle of living. Residents would enjoy their privacy and slow lifestyle.
EXCELLENT excellent idea, bike path happy council can rotate that together, van size maximum, local trucks automattic. i will add this valuable idea to my DEBate ‘platform’ list of how we heal Kauai in less than a years time. mAhalo, i will acknowledge you “manongindashadow”
Perfect opportunity for state and county to figure out a shuttle from Hanalei to Ke’e. Parking for visitors would have to be arranged (Hanalei or Princeville?) and a schedule that would limit bodies in Ha’ena and Ke’e could be worked out; maybe a hui with Limahuli would work? The shuttles would have to accommodate backpacks for hikers and campers journeying on Na Pali. A modest fee per person could be charged. If something’s not done, the whole place is gonna be wrecked.
Beautifully stated, Alison. I can only hope those with the power to make your suggestions happen are paying attention.
There was a shuttle from Princeville airport to Hanalei and extension shuttle from Hanalie to Ke’e beach. It was doing well but the owners closed it down after
the experimental period (6 or 9 months). They got to keep the busses. There was a Kama’aina discount so lots of locals used it, but there wasn’t much exposure for tourists to know about it. They’d pick up at select hotels, too. Shame it didn’t keep going. On Oahu, they have limited visitors to one overused beach park, Hanauma Bay nature preserve park. They park above the park and walk or are shuttled down. They limit the number of visitors per day as well. Visitors must view a park preservation video before their visit. Great idea
for our problem up north. httpsonolulu.gov/parks-hbay/home.html
We should have free shuttles all over island. This would greatly reduce the traffic and help people get to work. Just run them to major places where tourists go, and locals can use them too.