Posted on: Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Off-roaders clean Ka'ena
By James Gonser
Advertiser Staff Writer
A new group of volunteers combed the beach at Mokule'ia for the first time last weekend picking up tons of trash along a 2.5 mile stretch of state park i 4X4 truck drivers.
About 100 people associated with off-road vehicle clubs turned out Saturday to show they are concerned with keeping the heavily used area clean. Six truck-loads of trash, including bottles, cans, car parts and ocean debris, were picked up from the end of Farrington Highway to the gates of the natural area preserve. The group plans to hold cleanups four times a year.
Off-road trucks have been accused of causing erosion in the pristine North Shore coastal area along with damage to native Hawaiian plants and ancient sites by driving along dirt roads in the state park. Under state law, motorized vehicles are allowed in state parks as long as they keep to the established roads and do not drive on the beaches or other prohibited areas.
"People see a couple of guys tearing things up in a jeep and say it is all the off-roaders doing that," said Mike Uslan, of O'ahu 4 Wheelers. "That is the party element — kids that take their dad's or uncle's vehicle. We try to teach them and point them in the right direction."
Uslan, a member of the state's Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program advisory council, said four-wheelers include teachers, police officers and military veterans who appreciate the outdoors and want to see the area kept clean.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources manages the state park and the Ka'ena Point Natural Area Reserve. The adjacent point is a preserve set aside to protect wildlife and plants, including an endangered variety of naupaka and wedgetail shearwater chicks.
The department supervised the cleanup and removal of trash, and helped teach four-wheeler club members to identify and protect native plants in the park area.
"We are pleased to be joining with four-wheeler enthusiasts who want to demonstrate responsible citizenship by helping to remove trash and bulky items from along the road and coastline," said Peter Young, DLNR chairman.
Henry Curtis, executive director of Life of the Land, said four-wheelers can do enormous damage to the area, and he would like them banned from the park.
"We totally support all cleanup efforts, but we don't feel that justifies their use or destruction of the area," Curtis said.
Uslan said four-wheeling is a family activity and the groups are involved in several conservation efforts. He said the state needs to determine what are the established roads at Mokule'ia and four-wheelers will abide by that to help protect the area.
"The four-wheel community would like to cooperate with the state and if they would like to re-identify what the established roads are out there, I'm quite certain the four-wheel community would be enthusiastic to cooperate," he said.
The cleanup was organized by O'ahu 4-Wheelers and supported by the Coalition of 4-Wheelers, whose members include: O'ahu Jeepers, TTORA, Damn Kid Off Road, Four Wheel Parts, Pacific Automotive Performance Center Inc., Maui Off Road Center, Paradise Lua and Tread lightly!
For more information, visit the group's Web site at www.nakolo4x4.com or call Aaron Lowe, DLNR O'ahu trails and access specialist, at 973-9782. Reach James Gonser at 535-2431 or jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com.
