Waimea park debuts new theme
By Will Hoover
Advertiser North Shore Writer
Yesterday, opening day for the National Audubon Society's takeover of the 1,876 acre Waimea Valley, presented a fascinating local versus tourists juxtaposition that left the park's new managers both elated and scratching their heads.
The morning was marked by a resounding display of local support. Audubon, wanting the community to connect with the new natural park experience — as opposed to the previous management's adventure park extravaganza theme — had invited residents to come in for four hours of early volunteer clean-up work plus a free lunch.
Not knowing how many might show, Audubon figured on 100 volunteers and fixed food for 200. When 300 appeared, the kitchen staff went into a momentary panic. But by noon there was ample food to feed the multitude that had come to weed, trim, paint and scrub.
Volunteer Phillip Thatcher, who came with his 7-year-old daughter, Lelia, to weed out the hibiscus collection, concluded that volunteers are going to be more important than ever to the success of the new venture.
Diana King, Audubon project coordinator and acting center director, couldn't have agreed more.
"Having you here today — covered with mud and grime — this is the most fun I've had all year," she told the hungry gatherers, to a round of applause and laughter. Audubon's triumph in the park would be directly linked to local support, King said.
National Audubon President John Flicker, who had arrived the day before, said the outpouring of local commitment in Hawai'i was unlike anything he's experienced at any other Audubon's other 80 centers around the nation.
But then came the afternoon, and — promptly at 1 p.m. — the official opening to the public of what was previously known as Waimea Falls Park.
"Aloha, and welcome to Waimea Valley Audubon Center," Desma Garo said to Jack and Luann Pringle of Chambersburg, Penn., the first to purchase two $8 adult tickets that would have set them back $25 each under the park's previous management.
"That receipt is historical," Tamar Chotzen, senior vice president for Audubon's national centers projects told the Pringles, as Jack nodded and carefully placed the receipt in his shirt pocket.
But it soon became apparent that virtually all the dozens of folks lined up at the ticket counter were from Kentucky, Nebraska, New York and even Holland — everywhere, practically, except Hawai'i. Most had no idea the moment was historical and said they were there because they'd read about it in a Waikiki hotel brochure.
"The Audubon is taking over today?" asked Marsha McCormick of Scottsdale, Arizona. "So, it is run the way it used to be?"
After McCormick was told the tram rides, diving and hula shows and Native Hawaiian games were a thing of the past, she said, "That's what we came for; I'm sorta disappointed, for the kids."
Even the rare O'ahu resident, Milton McAngus of 'Ewa, confessed he didn't know Audubon was now in charge, had never been there before and had only come to bring his sister, Gail, from Cleveland, Ohio.
"I don't do tourist things," he said.
Chotzen conceded that the onslaught of incoming tourists even as hundreds of volunteers departed had caught Audubon a little off guard.
But she pointed out the society had only been in charge for two days.
"All the marketing materials out there now are from the former managers," she said. "We're fielding all the promises they made. Because the experience is going to be different, there's going to be a transition period until our new marketing materials are out there."
Chotzen said tourists are obviously welcome at the park, but the new emphasis would be on also marketing to people living in the community.
The different strategy, which will target tourists more interested in a natural experience than an adventure, will take time, she said.
