Land Board reviewing The state Department of Land & Natural Resources is reviewing liability risks of its properties in light of the ruling against the state in the Sacred Falls lawsuit, its chairman confirmed yesterday.
liability of properties
The chairman says no decision
has been made to close sitesBy Diana Leone
dleone@starbulletin.comBut that does not mean that the closure of any site is imminent, said Chairman Gil Coloma-Agaran.
Gov. Ben Cayetano had said Thursday that the state might close some attractions, such as Manoa Falls Trail, until the Legislature could pass laws reducing liability for the state.
"What I think he meant to say is that he's aware we're doing the risk assessment," Coloma-Agaran said. "At this point we haven't made any kind of determination (to close any sites). This is one of the things we need to do now and evaluate in light of the lower court's decision."
Circuit Judge Dexter Del Rosario ruled Tuesday that the state knew about previous rockfalls that caused injuries and a death at Sacred Falls, but failed to adequately warn visitors of the severity of the hazard.
Eight people were killed and dozens injured in a rockfall at the park on May 9, 1999, and family members successfully sued the state.
A trial to determine damages in the case is expected in January.
State Attorney General Earl Anzai said Wednesday that the state is considering an appeal of the ruling.
"It would be very foolish of us if it (Sacred Falls) did reopen with this kind of ruling on the books," he said.
Manoa Falls was closed February through May this year, after a nighttime rockslide near its featured falls. No one was injured. The DLNR reopened the trail with improved signs and a barrier to keep people away from its highest-risk area.
