Hikers' cars jam neighborhood

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer

Without a dedicated place to park, the hikers must leave their vehicles on the narrow road. That forces residents to steer carefully past many cars; some residents must find their on-street parking elsewhere.

This doesn't sit well with residents who worry about safety along the road, which is barely wide enough for a car to pass when autos are parked on both sides of the street. Ted Ashworth, a member of the Kuli'ou'ou Kalani Iki Neighborhood Board, canvassed the community recently and, relaying residents' concerns, he has asked the city to consider putting a parking lot at the entrance to the trail head.

"The residents told me they weren't happy about the parking on weekends," Ashworth said. "People have created a trail system up there."

The city has no plans to build a parking lot there, John Clark, the city's representative, said at a recent neighborhood board meeting. The city Department of Parks and Recreation plans to operate the park as a nature preserve, Clark said.

The city purchased the parkland and more than 90 additional acres in 1999 for $5 million as a way to block development of a cemetery project opposed by the community because the land was considered to be unstable and Hao Street too narrow. After the purchase, the city amended the development map to indicate that a park was proposed for the area. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources owns the land above the area, Clark said.

The community understands that the soil is unstable and would be satisfied if the city allowed it to clear an area, throw some gravel down and allow off-street parking, said Meymo Rego, a member of the 'Aina Haina Community Association.

"We'd like to clear the area if the city would allow it," Rego said, suggesting the prospect of planting some native flora there "but nothing elaborate that would require a bunch of money."

The association may seek the approval to clear a portion of the land for a simple parking lot, said Art Mori, a member of the 'Aina Haina Community Association.

"We want a low-impact parking lot," Mori said. "We've always felt less is more up there."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com or 395-8831.