HONOLULU — Following the sending of inquiry emails, and a letter to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Rep. Dee Morikawa is hopeful that Polihale Beach Park will reopen to the public following the Labor Day weekend.
HONOLULU — Following the sending of inquiry emails, and a letter to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, Rep. Dee Morikawa is hopeful that Polihale Beach Park will reopen to the public following the Labor Day weekend.
“After talking with DLNR staff, we are hopeful that Polihale may open after this Labor Day weekend,” Morikawa said in a release, Monday.
Morikawa asked DLNR to open the park, put rules in place, issue permits, allow groups to assist in clean up events, and control the number of users.
Community groups have offered to help the state repair damages and make improvements at the park, and Morikawa would like to see the possible development of a stewardship program at Polihale similar to the Ha‘ena Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area.
“Residents love Polihale and are willing to do their part to maintain the area,” Morikawa, the House Majority Floor Leader, said. “We must protect Polihale as a natural resource and for future use by our residents and the Hawaiian community.”
The state closed Polihale in July, citing reckless, illegal behavior, and overuse. Since then, Morikawa has been asking for more information and a plan for reopening the park.
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The Garden Island
