Wanted to share my perspective on the recent press release from the state of Hawai‘i DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) released to the media.
I would also like to thank The Garden Island for their journalism. I am very disappointed the state chose a ridicule headline and released irrelevant, disturbing photos in the article. This defamation alarmed Kaua‘i residents and unfortunately started this heartbreaking community division of “locals” bashing “locals.”
The alleged complaints in the article are written in a biased opinion and, unfortunately, did not reveal any facts from the department’s response to the “complaints” it received prior to making this drastic decision of closure (of Polihale State Park).
Failure to act upon leading indicators, “complaints” will develop into trailing indicators of “numerous complaints” — simple management.
If the state provided us an avenue or communication of the complaints, we are resilient, and would have prevented all of this from escalating.
Blaming Kaua’i for “bad behavior” is hiding behind the truth of poor management. The control of COVID-19 cases on Kaua‘i is a true testament of solid collaborative enforcement.
The statements in the article stating Polihale is “nearly impossible to enforce” “due to its large size and isolated location” is unfathomable due to the amount of enforcement activity in Kalalau.
“Enhance, protect, conserve and manage Hawai‘i’s unique and limited natural, cultural and historic resources held in public trust for current and future generations of the people of Hawai‘i nei, and its visitors, in partnership with others from the public and private sectors,” reads the DLNR mission statement.
Lastly, after reading and thinking of the execution of their mission, I am very disappointed my beach access to Na Pali Coast has been revoked as I witness no protection to enhance and conserve our unique historic resources.
Kaua‘i, we must unify and recognize that this article does overplay the truth. Yes, we do need attention, but drawing negative attention closes the door to solution-base discussions.
I do have a huge concern with beach access, but the community division is heart-wrenching.
•••
Editor’s Note: This letter has been edited to reflect the DLNR did add captions to the press release about the closure of Polihale State Park.
Taryn Dizon is a resident of Kekaha.
Good points. DLNR needs to keep our natural resources available for our use. Beaches and mountain access needs to be restored even if the state needs to give more money to DLNR to enforce rules such as social distancing and poaching.
It is time that we take responsibility for our actions and not blame enforcement or others. I was recently at the Hanalei Pier and saw local kids on the roof. There is clearly a sign not to climb up on the roof. So what do we need? Post a security officer at each of the parks? Charge a user fee to fund enforcement? We have no one else to blame but ourselves.
Sorry but I respectfully disagree with your Kalalau comments. I was down there the fourth (hiked) and saw 100+ “locals” partying until dawn, illegal boat after boat and awoke to beer cans everywhere. It frankly prompted me to head back a day early. To say kalalau gets some special treatment is just not accurate…you would be hard pressed to ever get checked by permit, especially now. I agree with some of your statements but at the end of the day it is called personal responsibility and that did not occur when 1000 plus people trashed poli’s and blaming the park is being dishonest. They have issues to be sure but again this comes down to a massive disrespect from locals and it is saddening.
Not really sure what the point is? All I know is every year I watch the Perseus meteor shower every year at Polihale and now I can’t. Sad. All because of some very selfish stupid people exhibiting behavior not uncommon to others around the country.
cmon! did the human waste put itself in the sand? Even “locals” who go to Polihale 2 or three times during the year, also have some stories of being intimidated. Lets have entrance fees that match Kalalau’s, as well as much better enforcement of rules for ALL! Closing the part temporarily may help to resolve the issues…lets see if it does!
Sooo… Locals bashing tourists is totally acceptable tho? Yeah?
So, just where is this mythical pot of money to come from? Thin air? The author’s backside? Tax revenues have fallen off a cliff, so blithely suggesting more resources are needed is spitting into the face of reality.
What needs to happen is entrance fees need to be charged that cover the full cost if dealing with local’s bad-behavior. Start at $25 for 4-person vehicle – and maybe $100 for recreational/camper vehicles. And then aggressive fines and enforcement.
Polihale needs to be reopened. The state doesnʻt need to police the beach every day. Simply police the beach on holidays when historically we all know it will be crowded. If they canʻt keep order on the beach then find an agency that can but open the beach.
Defamation is the oral or written communication of a false statement. I think Mayor Kawakami got it right:
“Let’s speak frankly. Polihale was shut down because people were not following the rules,” Kawakami said in a Wednesday statement to The Garden Island. “And now responsible families, who were using this time to reconnect with each other and enjoy special places like Polihale, are suffering the consequences.”
Poli Hale is my favorite place on all of Kaua’i. This saddens me. Nature should be there for all of us to appreciate and enjoy. We are the shepherds of this planet. We need to think about it. This is our island. Remember that.