Audubon set
to take over
Waimea Falls Park
A new chapter in the life of Waimea Falls Park begins tomorrow as the National Audubon Society takes over its operation with a focus on conservation instead of entertainment.
Gone will be the trams, the kayaks, the mountain bikes, the cliff divers and the hula show.
Visitors will not be able to pay to be suspended above the falls in a harness or get their picture taken in a photo booth.
Audubon will close the park for two-and-a-half days while its skeleton staff of 35 installs computers and phones and assesses what is needed to reopen to the public.
On Saturday morning, more than 100 volunteers, many from the North Shore, are expected to help with a clean-up and blessing of the grounds, said Audubon volunteer coordinator Kelly Perry.
"We want them to be involved in looking after the park and reclaiming it as theirs," said Diana King, Audubon's interim park director.
When the 1,875-acre park reopens at 1 p.m. Saturday, the souvenir store and food concessions will still be there as will the hundreds of rare and valuable plants.
Outgoing manager Ray Greene, of Waimea Management, agreed yesterday that the personality of the park is about to change.
"We encourage people to come out and see Waimea Falls Park for what it is, for what it was," he said of today, his company's last day as manager. "We're trying to leave on as positive a note as possible."
Greene refused comment on his company's administrative appeal to the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs on the grounds the city improperly awarded a management contract to Audubon.
Hearings on the appeal are scheduled for mid-July.
City Deputy Managing Director Malcolm Tom said yesterday that he expects the city, which is in the process of condemning and buying Waimea Valley, will prevail.
Tamar Chotzen, Audubon senior vice president of centers and education, said the organization is concerned about the city getting title to the land.
On July 7, a state judge is to consider whether the $5.1 million the city is willing to pay for the park is fair market value, Tom said.
Volunteers needed for opening
To volunteer to help Waimea Falls Park prepare for its reopening Saturday, call volunteer coordinator Kelly Perry at 638-9199 or 721-4252.At 1 p.m. Saturday, the park will reopen under National Audubon Society management. Prices will be: $8 for nonresidents, $5 for Hawaii residents and $3 for kupuna and keiki. Audubon will honor annual passes purchased from outgoing manager Waimea Management.
