EDITORIAL
Ha'iku Stairs debate needs fast resolution

The long-unresolved controversy over reopening the Ha'iku Stairs in Kane'ohe provides a good test of the "can-do" qualities of the fledgling Hannemann administration.

The City Council understandably adopted a cautious approach to reopening the "stairway to heaven" hiking trail. Liability concerns, questions about the cost and sustainability of maintenance, parking and access, and complaints from nearby residents about traffic and disturbances by hikers are all legitimate reasons for caution.

But more than two years have passed since the city spent $875,000 to repair the stairs, and the public still has no legal access to the trail.

Doing nothing is not an option. Concerns and complaints must be addressed, and the trail should be made available to the public.

The Friends of the Ha'iku Stairs would like the stairs managed and hikers controlled through a permitting process.

Residents say they want a management plan that would protect the community from hundreds of people trespassing through yards on weekends, littering roads, taking up all the street parking and using the residents' water without permission.

As it is, of course, illegal hikers commit all of these nuisances now, although in smaller numbers.

All concerned have legitimate beefs in this matter. But the overriding community interest is to open the stairway with a minimum of inconvenience to nearby residents.

The council is scheduled to once again consider a land-swap resolution at its meeting today. But some creative thinking and strong leadership from the mayor could help resolve this issue.

Time to step up to the plate, Mr. Mayor.