Prevention is the way to go
Prevention is the way to go
I am writing this article with gratitude in my heart that tonight my husband and myself were able to arrive home safe after a moment that could had been a tragedy.
We were coming from Lihue at night, driving through the Tree Tunnel and suddenly two little pigs crossed in front of our car. My husband didn’t have the time to avoid them. We hit them.
No cars were behind us. I was grateful for that.
I came come with my heart broken and with the resolution to write this letter as a way to plant a seed as prevention of accidents in the Tree Tunnel. There are some ideas that came to my mind:
1 — Speed limit is 50 mph in an area where pigs circulate day and night. Many people don’t even respect this speed limit, locals and tourists.
2 — There is not a single sign for tourists to be aware what is happening in that area. Most of us who live here long enough have witnessed how these animals come and go freely around that area.
3 — There must be more ideas for solutions for this problem. I just leave it to the Department of Transportation or whoever is in charge of the Tree Tunnel to protect the Kauai ohana and the pigs that are part of our island.
I believe that “where there is a will, there is way.” I am extending an invitation to reflect about it and speak up so we can all enjoy Maluhia Road (the Hawaiian name of the Tree Tunnel that means “peace”) without hurting any single soul.
Ximena Hoffman, Poipu
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Fire up the Imu?
I appreciate your tender heart, but you just did a great service in removing a couple of members of a very invasive species. Pigs are destroying native plants and ecosystems on Kauai. Do your best to hit them when you can, without damaging your vehicle.
Unfortunately, nobody is handing out Kauai’s “Most Annoying Curmudgeon” award yet. Maybe we could talk to the Poipu Rotary!
Aloha Ximena,
We had no idea there were pigs on the south side. While pigs get car wacked every night on the north, east, and west sides of the island, it is surprising to hear there are pigs on the south side, especially with the prices of real estate down there.
Don’t feel bad, usually cars just roll up the pig as they pass over it and the pig he just run away right away. With a next day headache.
Charlie
Like every tunnel on Oahu it is lighted up. We here on Kauai should have our Tunnel of Trees lighted up at night. If, ” it (TT) was lighted up you may not have experience that.” (running over the pigs)
The Tree Tunnel is covered enough that it shouldn’t affect the shearwaters in crashing into or dive to the pavement below.
I fully support your suggestion to take them out as often as possible Mark. The people who cherish these destructive little creatures obviously have never had their yards torn up by them on a regular basis.
Lighting up Tree Tunnel? Are you serious? That’s ridiculous.
Why is it ridiculous? It can save lives at night or prevent head on accidents while travelling through the Tunnel of Trees. The road though there is narrow, it has no shoulder, and one can barely see the center line.
Aloha Kakou,
Can we at least light up the Tree Tunnel with Christmas lights from Halloween through January 2 or 7…? Maybe a couple of pigs in Santa Claus suits all lit up with Christmas Cheer.
Charlie