Plan needed to restore park
Plan needed to restore park
This expansion of parking at Pine Trees is a hot topic here in town and I would like to share my thoughts with you.
It is my opinion that it is important to have an overall plan which takes into account the traditional uses of this very special park. This plan would need to address the overall traffic/parking problem in Hanalei Town and should be communicated to the community. A date certain to restore the park to its original purpose should be established.
Even if the plan is conceptual, sharing it would ease concerns about losing the park permanently. I imagine such a plan would include signage, enforcement, a “hop on, hop off” shuttle and the required development of shuttle parking near Princeville and/or Kilauea along with the date certain for the park to be restored .
Yesterday I saw disappointed visitors find tickets on their cars where there is no signage establishing where parking is not allowed. Signs are an immediate need.
The relationship between the county and other community groups should be clarified. Is the county the lead agency? What other community groups and agencies would be involved and how?
I understand that this is a complex situation and will need lots of work over time. Communication will be a key to building community support and awareness regarding solutions.
It will be difficult to “undo” the parking lot given the seemingly ever increasing number of visitors. I request that the county commit to restoring the park and returning it to be used as a park by a date certain.
Wicki Van De Veer, Hanalei
