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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:52 p.m., Friday, July 25, 2008

State to hold meetings on plan for Sacred Falls

Advertiser Staff

The state will hold a public meeting to discuss the draft master plan for Sacred Falls (Kaluanui) State Park from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday at the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center, Windward Unit, 53-516 Kamehameha Highway, Punalu'u O'ahu.

The plan is based on input from the Kaluanui Advisory Group and the public. The advisory group is composed of representatives from the Punalu'u, Ka'a'awa, Hau'ula, La'ie, Kahuku and Kahana comunities, the Ko'olauloa Neighborhood Board, and the Hawai'i Trail and Mountain Club. Input was also received from the O'ahu Pighunters' Association.

The group met monthly for a year and a half, then periodically after that. Division of State Parks has held two public meetings on the draft master plan. At the second meeting, parks staff received public feedback on the three alternatives presented. A preferred alternative was selected and is refined in the latest draft.

This alternative represents new recreational and educational options to reasonably justify charging a user and/or parking fee to help defray operational costs. The upper area of the park is recommended for designation as a natural area reserve as a means to control access to the falls. The construction of a loop trail connecting most of the proposed park features will allow the focus of the park to be the historic, educational and cultural resources.

The draft plan, meeting notice and comments form are available on the State Parks Web site at http://hawaiistateparks.org/plans/index.cfm.

Comments on the draft Master Plan will be accepted up to August 15 and can be made verbally and/or in writing at the meeting; or by e-mail to: Lauren.A.Tanaka@hawaii.gov and Travis Hylton at thylton@oceanit.com; and by regular mail to: Division of State Parks, P.O. Box 621, Honolulu, HI 96809.