KOLOA — The Koloa Community Association sponsored a Thursday presentation by Chipper Wichman of National Tropical Botanical Garden, discussing solutions for safe and reasonable access to Lawai Kai Beach, which is becoming overcrowded.
KOLOA — The Koloa Community Association sponsored a Thursday presentation by Chipper Wichman of National Tropical Botanical Garden, discussing solutions for safe and reasonable access to Lawai Kai Beach, which is becoming overcrowded.
About 60 people attended.
Each day, up to 100 tourists and a few residents park along the narrow road and walk down NTBG’S private driveway to the beach, according to a press release.
The nests of sea turtles — which nest there in the spring, summer and fall — are being trampled, and endangered shearwaters nesting on the cliffs are being run over by cars, the release said.
Possible solutions discussed with the audience included closing the road and only allowing foot traffic, and giving a limited number of visitor permits. Daily access for locals will not be restricted. At least 60 people participated in the lively discussion.
•••
The Garden Island