HAWAI'I KAI — The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will work with the community to keep the Makapu'u Lighthouse trail open to pets, a state official told a crowd of more than 60 residents last night.

The state had posted signs at the start of the trail in May saying it was off-limits to animals, citing complaints about dog feces, among other reasons.

Last night, Dan Quinn of the DLNR said the signs would come down in a few weeks and that the state will work with the Hawaiian Humane Society to educate the public about being responsible and cleaning up after their pets on the trail. Violators could be cited, he said.

The Hawai'i Kai Neighborhood Board, at its meeting at Haha'ione Elementary School, voted unanimously to keep the Ka Iwi shoreline park open to dogs.

The signs upset some pet owners who take their dogs on the trail regularly for exercise.

"My dog helps me. She needs to relax, I need to relax," said Wai'alae Iki resident Jack Parker, who takes his yellow lab, Ginger, up the trail twice a week. "This is what keeps me going, having a dog I can sit on rocks with and watch the sunrise and recharge my batteries."

Many residents said trash left on the trail is a bigger problem. Some even cited problems with soiled diapers and human waste.

"I don't understand why suddenly there's a problem about dogs," said Hawai'i Kai resident and dog owner Erik Heinz. "I think there's much more of a problem with people."

Many residents suggested that a few more trash cans on the trail might help.

"Am I supposed to put it in my pocket or my handbag?" said Herlinda Lopez, who stood at the base of the trail one morning and collected 60 signatures to keep the trail open to pets.

"We're really happy that we have a chance to make this work," said Vanessa Golding-Fox, community advocacy liaison for the Hawaiian Humane Society.

Golding-Fox brought with her about 200 signatures from people in favor of giving animals access to the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline area.

The Humane Society will work with the state and involve the community in ways to educate hikers about taking care of their pets on the trail, she said.

Also at last night's meeting, two residents spoke against a zip line cable attraction proposed by San Diego-based Alt-E Ventures last week to help the city generate revenue to maintain a popular hike up Koko Crater.

The sole proprietor of Alt-E Ventures, Steve Klein, has not officially presented his idea to the city, but detailed the plan for a zip line attraction in an e-mail last week to Parks Director Lester Chang, who passed the proposal to a committee formed to consider the future of the trail.

"Personally, I think it's something that doesn't fit in our community," Hawai'i Kai resident Natalie Iwasa said last night. "Anything with commercial interests selling beverages, souvenirs and T-shirts doesn't really fit into our lifestyle here in Hawai'i Kai."