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Koko stables
open to public
except Monday

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Question: What is the legal status of Koko Head Stables? At the entrance there is a sign that says "Department of Parks and Recreation." Over the years, I have gone there several times alone or with my family. I recently drove to the stables and parked in the lot. I took a short walk around and admired the horses and the overall scenery of the crater. Suddenly, I was approached by a woman who asked if I was there to take riding lessons. I replied I wasn't and continued walking toward my car. She said the stables were a private business, and only those there to learn horseback riding were allowed on the grounds. I said that I thought it was public property because of the sign at the entrance. I felt treated like a criminal. Is Koko Head Stables closed to the public? If so, why is there no sign warning law-abiding citizens to stay clear? If I was trespassing, please put up a sign so that I may maintain my status as a good citizen.

Answer: Koko Crater Equestrian Center Inc., commonly referred to as Koko Crater Stables, is a private concession operating on land leased by the city.

The operator of the stables currently has a five-year agreement, ending in late 2007, to use that site, said Carol Costa, director of the city Department of Customer Services.

A spokeswoman for Koko Crater Stables said that although it is a private operation, "the public is always welcome during our open hours."

However, the stables are closed Mondays, and there is a sign at a gated entry that clearly states that, she said.

The problem is that you showed up on a Monday, she said. She disputed your version of the encounter and said she asked you to come back on a day the stables were open to the public.

Winifred Singeo, acting director of Honolulu Botanical Gardens, which is under the Department of Parks and Recreation, looked into your complaint.

She noted there is only one entrance to the Koko Crater Botanical Gardens, which is adjacent to the stables, and it is from a newly paved, unnamed roadway off Kealahou Street. This roadway leads to the public parking area of the gardens.

According to Singeo, visitors who proceed forward would enter the plumeria section of the public gardens. Those who turn left would see a wooden fence with a gated entry leading to the stables.

"Fronting this gate is a very visible sign" stating the name of the stables and the hours of operation, Singeo said.

The spokeswoman for the stables said there used to be another sign for the stables at the entrance of the old roadway. It was to have been removed only temporarily but has not yet been re-posted.

Mahalo

To the person at the state Department of Transportation who decided to do the traffic flow experiment on H-1/Vineyard heading Ewa (not allowing cars to enter the freeway from the Lunalilo onramp during the morning rush hour, "Kokua Line," Oct. 7). We come in from Aina Haina, and it's saved us 10-15 minutes every morning. The kids like it, and no one's been tardy to school since the experiment started. I hope they leave it that way permanently. -- No Name

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