Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: What is the state doing with Sacred Falls Park? Since the horrific, natural accident in May 1999, the parking lot remains closed, which doesn't make any sense to me, as parking is valuable to visitors who want to go to the beach on the opposite side of the road and other beautiful sites. I understand the need to keep the deeper part of the park closed for safety reasons. Also, since the accident, construction crews have been erecting a building at the park entrance. There is a big orange sign that says, "Okada Construction." Have state officials thought long term on the disposition of this property? It seems such a waste of beauty owned by the citizens of Hawaii not to consider alternatives to just locking up the area, and why is the sign erected out front with a civilian firm's name on it? Sacred Falls Park lies
idle since rockslideAnswer: There still has been no decision on the future of the park. For now, both the park and the parking lot remain closed indefinitely, according to Daniel Quinn, acting state parks administrator with the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Asked why the parking lot can't be made available to the public even while the rest of the park remains off limits, Quinn said: "The concern is that opening it in any fashion will encourage people to access the area. Our position is that the entire park is closed until we are able to work through the planning process."
The state has been meeting with members of the community to discuss the future of the area, he said. The Department of Land and Natural Resources also has requested funds to develop a master plan and conduct an environmental impact statement for the area.
That will determine whether the park will reopen and in what fashion, he said.
Everything is "pretty much up in the air at this point," Quinn said. "We are approaching it with an open mind" as to what decision will be made.
Meanwhile, construction is for the Board of Water Supply's $1,375,000 Kaluanui booster station, which will boost water from the Kaipapau Well and Maakua Well to the Kahana Reservoir, agency spokeswoman Denise DeCosta said. Construction started last July and should be completed this summer.
The state allowed the Board of Water Supply to use a portion of the park for the station, Quinn said, adding that that action was "completely unrelated" to the park's closing.
He said the sign was put up by the contractor to alert subcontractors to the project, but acknowledged it should not have been erected. It was to have been removed.
Q: I frequent Sand Island Beach Park a lot. There seems to be an ongoing problem with mosquitos near the bathrooms. Can anything be done about it?
A: There had been a problem with mosquitos breeding in a drain near a bathroom. Acting state parks Administrator Dan Quinn said he would check on your complaint.
Mahalo
To the two kindhearted young people who helped me start my stalled car at Waipahu Town Center on the afternoon of Sunday, March 18. Thank you for going out of your way to help a stranger in need and for showing me that the true spirit of aloha is alive and well in Waipahu! -- C. Yokoyama
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