Sand Island dirt track plan approved
A group will have to obtain an impact assessment prior to getting a land lease
A group that wants a new place to legally ride dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles got state approval yesterday of the concept of a 30-acre park on an unused portion of Sand Island.
The Sand Island Off-Highway Vehicle Association can now create track designs and conduct an environmental impact assessment, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources said yesterday.
The group will have to come back to the board after it completes the environmental assessment to seek a two-year lease.
The group hopes to begin building dirt tracks early next year, said Curt Cottrell, the state's Na Ala Hele Trails coordinator.
The proposed track would fill a need for off-road riding places, said Reid Shimabukuro, president of the riders group.
Other than a motocross park in Kahuku, which is only available on weekends and holidays, there is no legal place to ride off-highway vehicles on Oahu, said Shawn Bautista of Mililani and Kepa Germano of Wahiawa outside yesterday's meeting. The friends have been riding dirt bikes, go-carts and all-terrain vehicles together for seven years.
Having another approved place to ride would reduce damage to state and private lands where some riders trespass, said Peter Young, Department of Land and Natural Resources director.