Kokua Line
Kokua Line
We experienced a potentially dangerous situation on Saturday, May 30, at the Moanalua Valley hiking trail. About 1 p.m., we stumbled across a very small sign which said, "Do not enter," and in typewritten words underneath, "Feral pigs are being shot." There were some hunters seated outside taking a break in Army fatigues. They saw us enter but said nothing. They should have stopped or warned us. Also, there were some children playing around there. Whenever they shoot pigs, shouldn't they just close the place or put huge signs in the middle of the entrance? Who is responsible for this? The Army? Moanalua pig hunting
is on private propertyThe property is owned by the Damon Estate.
There is a gate across the valley road and a sign that says, "Private property, no trespassing," said Jim Whitman, the estate's executive secretary.
But "to completely lock up the valley is impossible," he said.
On certain Saturdays, "We have an agreement with a group, mostly military people, to eradicate the feral pigs" because of the damage they cause to plant life, Whitman said. When the pig population "got out of hand," hunters were allowed in. Since then, "We've probably cut (the number) down 50 to 60 percent," he said.
Hunters used to go in every Saturday, but now do so every third Saturday or so.
He also said the sign is not "little," being about 2 feet by 3 feet with bright-red letters.
It indicates "people are shooting, and if (hikers) proceed beyond that point, they're in danger of being shot," Whitman said. "I don't know what more we can do. I understand their concern, but from a practical standpoint, we can't lock up the valley."
Whitman acknowledged hikers are attracted to the valley.
"We don't chase people" out unless they're cutting up or taking plants, he said. "If they're hiking and minding their own business, we don't have a problem."
However, hikers are encouraged to call the Moanalua Gardens Foundation office for permission to go in, "so we know when people are in there."
I attended the Black Tie Gala party at the Hawaii Convention Center. At the end of the evening, Gov. Ben Cayetano awarded a $50,000 check to Bishop Museum signed by the Hawaii Convention Center. Can someone explain to me how this brand-new facility can afford to donate money? Shouldn't this money have gone to promote the facility?
Basically because no state funds were involved, said Alan Hayashi, executive director of the Hawaii Convention Center.
The Black Tie Gala was a privately funded event, and the $50,000 came from ticket sales, he said. All other events related to the opening of the center were state-funded and open to the public.
Since it was a private affair, it was used to generate funds for a community organization in need of funds, Hayashi said.
"We felt the Bishop Museum met a lot of the goals we have," he said, including preserving Hawaiiana, meeting the community's needs and attracting tourism.
To bikers who ride at night with dark clothes and no reflectors. They come out of side streets and dash across traffic. They might find a spoke where they don't want one! -- C.H. Auwe
Three readers told us to call Tom Beveridge in answer to a request for the name of someone who repairs pewter ornaments. Pewter update
Beveridge, a self-described "handyman" and restorer in Waimanalo, works with any kind of metal, plus glass, ceramics -- practically anything except jewelry and furniture, he said. Call 259-9261.
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
