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descending to a stranded Big Island resident are the sound of help Another would-be: flood victim is rescued from his flooded home At the request of Big Island civil defense authorities the Hawaii Army National Guard dispatched a helicopter into Waipio Valley Tetsuo Matsubara supported by Big Island soldiers About 49 Waipio residents were endangered by the flooding and were evacuated by an UH-1H “Huey” helicopter to the Army Guard’s Honokaa Armory Eleven of the residents were temporarily housed there The armory served as the Red Cross shelter for evacuees from Waipio Roads and bridges were washed out as a result of the flooding after the assessment and recommendation of Maj Ariyoshi declared portions of the Big Island a major disaster area making affected residents eligible for state assistance This was the second time this year that flooding has caused extensive damage to the Big Island when heavy rains damaged roads and caused flooding in the Big Island an Army Guard helicopter was used to evacuate a Big Island resident in urgent need of medical attention Ronald Ueda flew the life saving mission from Pahala Hospital to Hilo Hospital when a patient was in need of special treatment Flooding on Hawaii and Maui required the call-up of Guard members to assist in evacuation and other emergency requirements evacuated residents of the flooded Waipio Valley using Hawaii Army Guard helicopters and ground transportation Nineteen Guard members stayed on duty for two months from December 10 1980 to aid in the cleanup and restoration of the valley Land and Natural Resources (Forestry Division) and Social Services and Housing (Kulani Correctional Facility) completed work on the restoration of Waipio Valley on the Big Island Feb The State agencies involved in the Waipio project were scheduled to leave Jan 4 at the request of Hawaii County officials Restoration of the valley is being concentrated on the Wailoa and Hiilawe streams 17 flooding and forced the evacuation of 49 residents The flooding caused an estimated $500,000 in damages to taro fields Some 110 acres of taro alone were destroyed by silt and debris carried by the flood waters In addition to supplying manpower the State agencies provided bulldozers and trucks to assist in the cleanup of Waipio Valley The bulk of the manpower and equipment were provided by the Hawaii Army National Guard Much of the work completed earlier by theState crews was destroyed by the recent strong winds and rains the State work crews had to start from scratch again due to storm damages the crews have cleared all the debris in Hiilawe stream and about 70 percent of the debris in Wailoa stream Restoration of the valley initially began December 10 after the governor proclaimed the valley a disaster area are appropriated under the State’s Major Disaster Fund It has been approximately l00,000 years since Diamond Head Crater last erupted but one would get the impression that this majestic land mark was stirring or certainly restless by the rumblings going on in Birkhimer Tunnel Many of the SCD staff have been on the constant go since February 1979 to declare Maui County a major disaster area statewide damage estimates have surpassed $25 million Maui now is entitled to Federal disaster assistance funds and loans One of the first steps that will be taken by SCD in coordinating the statewide disaster assistance effort will be to brief concerned State and county agencies applying for public disaster relief a statewide survey of damaged public facilities will be conducted to develop detailed engineering reports of each damaged site or facility the disaster assistance applications will be processed and Federal funds will be disbursed through SCD Persons who suffered damages from the January storm will be able to apply for low interest loans through individual agencies such as the U.S and the State Department of Planning and Economic Development a state disaster was declared by the Governor for the Big lsland in November 1979 following damaging heavy rains and flooding 49 persons were evacuated and many taro farms destroyed Following emergency restoration work on the Waipio Valley stream by the Hawaii Army National Guard and other state agencies SCD began to approve State and county requests for financial assistance to repair damaged public facilities And there’s more: although the February 1979 Presidential declaration disaster for Hawaii County may have been forgotten by many people State Civil Defense still is busy processing requests for supplemental Federal disaster assistance and requests for cash advances on disaster work still in progress SCD is also coordinating final inspection of completed disaster projects and reimbursements of State and Federal disaster funds The target date for completing restoration of Big Island public facilities damaged from the February 1979 disaster is late 1980 there are no estimates as to when restoration will be complete following the November 1979 and January 1980 floods and storms The past 14 months certainly have been disastrous for the people of Hawaii County Various storms have claimed the lives of seven people caused approximately $14 million in damages to public and privateproperty and forced many residents to evacuate their homes during storm periods Ariyoshi has declared the county a major disaster area four times President Carter proclaimed the county a disaster area in February 1979 and has been asked to release federal funds to restore public facilities damaged during the March tempest Mother nature began her unbenign frenzy in February 1979 quickly saturating the soil in many districts and causing extensive flooding a total of 200 homes had suffered various degrees of damage Approximately 300 people later applied for such disaster assistance as low-interest emergency loans and grants triggering the release of $500,000 in restoration funds; President Carter followed by declaring Hawaii County a federal disaster area heavy rains once again inundated sections of the county and South and North Kohala major disaster areas One person lost his life during the storm and approximately 120 people were evacuated A total of 49 persons from the Waipio Valley area alone were relocated and many taro farms in the valley were destroyed The National Gaurd was quickly sent into the valley following the storm to clear debris and to rechannel water back into the Wailoa and Hiilawe Streams Total damage to public and private property was $4 million the entire state was subjected to a tempest that left behind damages totaling some $27 million Three people lost their lives in Hawaii County and about $300,000 in damages was recorded A state disaster was declared for all counties The latest mayhem to strike Hawaii County occurred this March claiming three more lives and inundating many districts on the windward side of the island Damage estimates for the county continue to come in to the State Civil Defense Division with the latest tallies exceeding $3 million were severely damaged and repaired following the February storm; and then again were damaged in the March disaster The governor has already declared the Big Island a major disaster area and has asked the President again to declare Hawaii County a federal disaster area Hawaii County will be eligible for federal funds to restore public facilities The Hawaii National Guard was recognized by the House of Representatives for its efforts in assisting the Waipio flood victims on the Big Island during storms in March commended the Guard and other state agencies for their assistance in providing equipment and personnel to clear debris which was obstructing roads A copy of the resolution was forwarded to Maj Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More Hawaii — A season of unprecedented achievement in the Big West Conference was simultaneously one of high drama for the Hawaii soccer team As UH readies to host the Big West championship semifinals and final for the first time as the regular-season champion and top seed it does so with the knowledge that all of the Rainbow Wahine’s program record-eight conference victories came by the narrowest of margins The Wahine face fifth-seeded Cal State Bakersfield at 7 p.m Thursday at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium Both games are being televised on Spectrum Sports with the winners advancing to Sunday’s 11 a.m championship for the right to make the NCAA Tournament Big West Coach of the Year Michele Nagamine gave a playful affectation of exasperation when asked about her team’s tendency to face — and succeed in — tense late-game situations They were 8-0 in one-goal games in the BWC “I think what we’ve learned through all of this is that we are just going to keep fighting and are going to find a way to get the job done,” she said the Wahine set a high mark for points atop the table (25) for any team in the four years of the Big West’s current format I think we’re ready to battle a second time to prove that yeah (and) we’re going to stay winning,” said freshman Nalani Damacion the Big West Midfielder of the Year who is tied for second nationally in game-winning goals with seven and we’re not ready to be done yet,” said the native of Rocklin Damacion was one of a record-tying seven UH players to receive conference postseason honors on Saturday With her knack for being in the right place at the right time she became UH’s first player of the year at that position Redshirt freshman Kennedy Justin made an improbable climb to goalkeeper of the year after beginning the season behind Brianna Chirpich UH has taken the moniker of “second-half team” to new levels It has been outscored 18-7 in first halves but is doing essentially the opposite to foes in the second “I wouldn’t say that we are just a second-half team I think we are a team that plays the full 90,” said forward Amber Gilbert a Mililani High alumna and one of the fastest players in the conference “But I know that all the hard work that we put into our offseason really paid off because it shows that we are that team in the second half Bakersfield (7-10-4) is coming off the first Big West tournament win in its history — the biggest overall win in its brief Division I tenure — 1-0 at three-time defending tournament champion UC Irvine on Sunday UH had a bye into the semifinals because of its top-two seeding “We know that this is a motivated team who’s coming in but a lot of really positive energy and momentum,” Nagamine said UH holds a 4-11 all-time record in conference tournament matches The only other time Hawaii got to host a conference tournament in the program's 30 seasons of existence was in 2004 in the Western Athletic Conference The fourth-seeded Wahine fell to Tulsa on penalty kicks after playing to a 1-1 draw in their opening match UH’s only tournament title was in the 2007 WAC when the top-seeded Wahine beat Utah State and Fresno State in Boise and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first and last time to date Chelsea Deptula was named tournament MVP while Taryn Fukuroku Jessica Domingo and Koren Takeyama were also named to the all-tournament team “You think about the players who went to that last 2007 NCAA championship it’s something they’ve carried with them for all of these years,” Nagamine said “They have reunions and get together at our games She is hoping for a large and rowdy Thursday night crowd “I hope we get (the UH band),” Nagamine said “I hope we get the busloads of kids that they’re talking of bringing out we’ve got to win the game on Thursday first so I’m really hoping people take advantage of something special that is going on at Waipio and you definitely want to come be a part of it.” when the travel-weary Wahine made the tournament as the sixth and final seed and lost 2-1 at Cal Poly in the first round Nagamine said legs are fresh and spirits high Overtime matches will be settled by penalty kicks if a winner is not decided after two extra 10-minute periods UH has made two conference championship game appearances The WPSS attendance record for a Wahine match is 4,366 against UCLA on Sept UH has hovered between 500 and 1,000 per game this season there is no free attendance for spectators General admission tickets are $24 for an adult and $12 for kids (ages 4 through high school) for an all-session package for Thursday and Sunday while a ticket for Thursday's semifinals is $12 for adults and $8 for kids Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com Hawaii island visitors take in the view at the Waipio Valley lookout a Hawaii island resident drives down Waipio Valley Road Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading Access to Waipio Valley Road has been restricted since 2022 for work to make the steep narrow and winding county road less dangerous Hawaii County Department of Public Works spokesperson Sherise Kana‘e-Kane said the project remains “in its preliminary design stages.” “Gathering geological and topographic information has seen unexpected difficulties due to the terrain and unpredictable weather conditions,” Kana‘e-Kane said Thursday in an email “We are currently exploring alternative methods for gathering this information.” Mayor Kimo Alameda on Monday signed the 15th Waipio Valley Road Declaration of Emergency and related emergency rules due to ongoing safety concerns The current declaration is in effect through March 6 declared Waipio Valley Road an emergency on Feb The emergency rule closed the treacherous and poorly maintained road to all except valley residents after a geotechnical evaluation by the engineering firm Hart Crowser found an elevated risk of rockfalls The rule was relaxed in September that year — after a lawsuit by a community group — to permit Hawaii island residents and some commercial tour operators to travel the road with four-wheel-drive vehicles including but not limited to all-terrain vehicles which is the only way in and out of Waipio Valley Phase 1 of three phases of proposed work on the road was completed before the July 4 holiday in 2023 primarily focused on removing hazards along the uppermost 750 feet of the cliff face over the road vegetation and “scallops” — parts of the cliff face that have been undermined to the point that rocks distinctly protrude “Additional construction has not yet started,” Kana‘e- Kane said According to plans drafted by Honolulu geotechnical firm Haley and Aldrich in 2022 Phase 2 would do the same work for the next 1,300 feet of cliff face each focusing on different sections of the cliff It will also install metal meshes along the cliff in order to contain rockfalls Phase 3 will install more rockfall fencing higher up the slope Both Phase 2 and 3 will require daily closures of the road Kana‘e-Kane told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald in 2023 the second phase of the project could take several different shapes each of which would require different schedules and costs that’s one thing and it’ll be done in a certain amount of time,” Kana‘e- Kane said at that time then that’s going to extend the timeframe too.” An early estimate put the overall cost of the project at $6 million but Kana‘e-Kane said Thursday the cost will likely be higher “With the design effort in its preliminary stages we do not have a revised cost estimate available,” she said the county’s first priority with the project will be “to revisit the hazard condition study with the intent of either confirming or hopefully reducing the current access restrictions.” rain and power outages caused the Hawaii High School Athletic Association to postpone all eight of its girls soccer state quarterfinal matches that were to take place Thursday afternoon The high school governing body made the announcement at 12:37 p.m The first of the games was to take place at 3 p.m. but the HHSAA cited closures and outages at some of the six sites with artificial turf surfaces it planned to use and supporters is our utmost priority," HHSAA spokesperson Natalie Iwamoto said in a release "This decision was made with that in mind and we appreciate everyone's understanding as we navigate this fluid situation." The HHSAA subsequently announced that all four Division I quarterfinal matches will take place at 1 p.m Friday at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex outlying fields Nos The four Division II quarterfinals will take place at 3 p.m the HHSAA will likely look to play the semifinals on Saturday and the D-I and D-II championships on Monday or Tuesday the HHSAA relocated all matches that were set to take place at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex to campus sites All eight Motiv8 Foundation/HHSAA quarterfinals were to be played on artificial turf surfaces instead of the grass pitch of the outlying WPSC fields due to what was expected to be an impactful storm It had the effect of giving an advantage to an Oahu host team in each Division I quarterfinal that was to be played at 3 p.m Campbell (6 p.m.); Waiakea (4); Moanalua (4); and Kamehameha-Maui (3) games were to be on neutral fields as Castle and Pearl City were tapped to host matches Kamehameha-Hawaii and Pac-Five were to meet at 4 p.m Kauai High and Waialua were to meet at 4 and Mid-Pacific and Hawaii Prep at 6 Two D-II consolation matches that were to take place Thursday have been postponed to Friday at WPSC Note: This story has been updated with the announcement that all Thursday matches have been postponed Note: This story has been updated with the times and locations of matches to be played on Friday The first phase of a new affordable rental project for seniors and families is ready to accept applicants and a second phase is underway with completion set for next year.  Koa Vista will offer 192 senior and family rental apartment units in two mid-sized buildings within the Koa Ridge planned community in Waipio “Koa Vista is more than just a housing project it’s a promise to our kupuna and local families that they will always have a place to call home,” Gov Josh Green said at a dedication and groundbreaking ceremony on Monday affordable housing is the foundation of strong communities we take another step toward ensuring that Hawaii’s families and seniors can live with dignity and security.” The project is being developed by the nonprofit Homes Hawaii Inc Construction is made possible via state and federal tax credits the Hula Mae Multi-Family Tax-exempt Bond program and Rental Housing Revolving Funds through the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation 95-unit apartment building available to seniors who earn between 30% and 60% of annual median income Each unit is equipped with a refrigerator and range/oven Common area amenities include a multi-purpose room “With the opening of Koa Vista phase one, today is an exciting day and important step in helping reach the state’s goal of housing sustainability for local families,” said Homes Hawaii president Wally Inglis “We could not have moved forward with this project without the support from our government partners at the state of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu.” Tenant applications are currently being accepted for phase one of the project. Applications are available online at hawaiiaffordable.com and can also be picked up at 1050 Queen St For more information on the application process, call Randeatte McEnroe at 808-589-1845 ext. 14 or via email at koavista1applications@gmail.com Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com Privacy Policy | About Our Ads The County of Hawaiʻi is continuing emergency rules for Waipi‘o Valley Road three years after the rules were first enacted in 2022 Mayor Kimo Alameda signed the 15th Waipi‘o Valley Road Declaration of Emergency and related emergency rules due to ongoing safety concerns The declaration states that Waipi‘o Valley Road is slippery and adequate stormwater infrastructure is lacking Some portions of the road are unpassable for two vehicles Limited sight distance along the road hampers driver ability to safely navigate oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the roadway The rules limit vehicle access to Hawaiʻi County residents and Native Hawaiians claiming the exercise of traditional and/or customary rights Use of four-wheel drive vehicles is required Tour operators must receive a permit from the mayor’s office To view the full emergency declaration, click here, and to view the emergency rules, click here Defending champion Mililani and recent postseason rival Iolani overcame their opponents in the Motiv8 Foundation/HHSAA Division I boys soccer semifinals and advanced to Saturday night’s championship at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium The OIA and ILH champions met in the last two state finals with Iolani winning 2-1 in 2023 and Mililani responding with a 1-0 win last year Division II final between Kamehameha-Hawaii and Kapaa Friday’s first D-I semifinal between Iolani and Campbell was a competitive affair for a half Kama Kane and captain Devin Lee netted balls in the second half in a 3-0 decision Drama endured in the second semifinal between Mililani and Kamehameha through 80 minutes of scoreless regulation until Tyler Tamashiro put in the golden goal in the 88th minute top-seeded Kamehameha-Hawaii beat MIL champion Seabury Hall 1-0 in overtime on William Henderson’s penalty kick goal two minutes into the extra period And KIF champion Kapaa topped ILH champion Le Jardin in a marathon match capped with an 8-7 penalty kick shootout Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com Hawaii — Two of the teams to advance to the semifinals of the Motiv8 Foundation/HHSAA Division I girls soccer championships Interscholastic League of Honolulu powers Punahou and Kamehameha Once the skies cleared and the sun returned to the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex the HHSAA was able to resume action on Friday after it was forced to postpone all eight (D-I and D-II) Thursday quarterfinals due to an impactful storm that brought flooding and power outages to much of Oahu The Marauders and Na Menehune seized on the delayed opportunity with dramatic extra-period victories over BIIF champion Waiakea and OIA champion Mililani [Note: See below for more photos of the HHSAA Division I girls soccer quarterfinals.] The HHSAA plans to hold its D-I and D-II semifinals at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium on Saturday and its championship matches on Monday which won its first state tournament game ever on Monday followed up with a 3-2 double-overtime stunner against a Waiakea team that appeared poised to move on Deizha Lyn Jacinto had the equalizer in the 77th minute on an awkward shot in which she slipped to the pitch but the South Dakota State commit’s golden goal in the 94th was a no-doubter blast from the left edge of the box She took a header pass from teammate Anela Leslie took a touch to set up her shot and bent it into the net including its first appearance in the OIA champioship game because we’re always getting kicked out first round "We worked so hard for this and finally getting to the semis that’s the farthest Waipahu has been for soccer Anela Leslie got Waipahu on the board in the 71st minute and Kalia Franklin had both goals for Waiakea (10th should not have had much of a shot on paper against previously unbeaten Mililani But Na Menehune assumed a defensive formation and weathered a number of Trojan opportunities until it got through regulation and two OT periods with the game still scoreless Moanalua coach Nikki Dela Pena subbed her outsides more liberally than usual and stacked the midfield to counter Mililani's speed "I was ultimately very confident in these girls," Dela Pena said of going to PKs "That’s something we close off our regular season with so that’s something we carried with us into our OIAs We were disciplined in practice to make sure we were ready for this moment." Senior goalkeeper Marisa Lam saved two shots in the shootout and nearly got to a third that snuck in just inside the right post "I was kind of fine," Lam said of whether she had nerves I knew that every single practice every day we’re practicing PKs in case it came down this moment Erin Lam and Krislyn Uyeda made it 4-for-4 for Moanalua on its PK shots Upon Uyeda's winner to the top left corner it took Na Menehune a beat to realize that they'd just advanced seeking to return to the fore of state soccer after ceding the title to rival Punahou the last two years dispatched Campbell 2-0 with goals from Mya Pasion in the sixth minute and Kaahupahau Montgomery in the 45th Two-time defending state champ Punahou found itself in a tight game against MIL champ Kamehameha-Maui early in the second half then separated in a hurry in a 5-1 victory Kaiao Zoller had a brace and Olivia Schiel Erika Marciel and Amelie Zietz found the net Kulia Kapuaala got KSM within 2-1 on a breakaway in the 43rd minute but it was answered by Marciel’s penalty kick score in the 45th Two days of emphasis on finishing attacks in practices appeared to pay off for the Buffanblu after some recent struggles locating shots on frame Coach Shelley Izuno said she was unfazed by the rapid changes of plans in the 24 hours leading up to Friday; for a little while Punahou was to host KSM until the storm forced complete postponements Every year’s different and it’s never as smooth as we think it’s going to be and want it to be so just kind of rolled with the punches," Izuno said Both games will be televised on Spectrum OC16 top-seeded Kamehameha-Hawaii knocked off three-time defending D-II state champ Pac-Five And ILH champ Mid-Pacific topped Hawaii Prep Kauai and Mid-Pacific meet at WPSS in the first semifinal at 1 p.m. Note: This story has been updated with quotes Punahou beats Kamehameha 1-0 to claim the HHSAA Division I Girls Soccer Championship at Waipio Soccer Complex By Andrew Lee / Special to the Star-Advertiser Hawaii Photos Investigative stories and local news updates Coverage of the Hawaiʻi State legislature in 2025 Award winning in-depth reports and featured on-going series Get the week’s news delivered straight to your inbox “I’m committed to focusing on workforce development affordable housing and child care to help middle-class and working families thrive in Hawaii.” Civil Beat asked candidates to answer some questions about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected Democratic candidate for state House District 37 Her opponent is Republican Taylor Kaaumoana Go to Civil Beat’s Election Guide for general information, and check out other candidates on the General Election Ballot What is the biggest issue facing your district The most pressing issue facing District 37 residents is public safety and the growing perception that Central Oahu is becoming less safe This concern stems from an increase in homelessness several highly publicized crimes and emergencies like wildfires that have threatened our community I believe that addressing public safety effectively requires close collaboration with law enforcement and the community we brought our neighborhoods together by hosting a public safety community event including Chief Logan from the Honolulu Police Department and the mayor This initiative led to the establishment of 10 neighborhood security watches in the district fostering a stronger sense of safety and community I hosted a wildfire prevention and disaster preparedness workshop for the Central Oahu community We also cleared the largest homeless encampment in Kipapa Gulch addressing a significant safety and public health concern I will continue to engage with my constituents to address critical issues and craft responsive legislation My office remains committed to being accessible and working hand-in-hand with my community to build a safer Central Oahu How do you feel about the massive income tax cut just approved by the Legislature and the governor Do you have any concerns that it will force reductions in state services in the years to come I strongly support tax reform that lessens the burden on local families especially low- and middle-income families The recent income tax cut enacted via House Bill 2404 reforms Hawaii’s tax code by doubling the standard deduction that state taxpayers can claim beginning next year It also adjusts income tax brackets and standard deductions upward in a series of steps as Hawaii’s minimum wage increases This means working families will see their take-home pay increase by several thousand dollars a year HB 2404 will be implemented over seven years which gives us ample time to monitor implementation and secure adequate funding for critical state services As a community champion and advocate for working families I am committed to ensuring that tax relief does not come at the expense of essential services addressing government spending and considering other revenue-generating proposals we can maintain the balance between providing tax relief and preserving the quality of services that our community needs.  Hawaii continues to struggle with pay-to-play politics and corruption in government What meaningful reforms do you think would change state government for the better Having worked as a journalist investigating corruption in the Philippines I have witnessed firsthand the damage that corruption can cause This experience has deepened my commitment to transparency and disclosure especially regarding relationships between lobbyists and lawmakers While state lawmakers have made meaningful progress in addressing pay-to-play politics by enacting laws that restrict fundraising and contributions from lobbyists during the legislative session we still lack robust enforcement and punishment for those who violate these rules we must fully fund and staff the State Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission ensuring they have the resources to implement harsh penalties for those who betray the public trust I strongly support requirements to scrutinize the connections between lobbyists and lawmakers to maintain integrity in our government Candidates often say they will support reform proposals in the Legislature And yet major reform proposals don’t pass Will you back good-government proposals even if it means going against leadership can you point to an example of a reform that you supported I would back good-government proposals even if it meant going against House leadership My voting decisions are guided by the needs and voices of my constituents and I actively engage with the community to inform my stance on various issues I have always supported proposals to strengthen campaign financing laws reform election procedures and improve transparency and accountability within government This year I championed the passage of Senate Bill 2687 which prohibits the distribution of deceptive and fraudulent deep fakes during an election period While artificial intelligence can benefit us in many ways its potential for misuse cannot be ignored Deep fakes are manipulated media of a person’s voice depicting actions or statements they never made This can be damaging not just to candidates but to any individual when used irresponsibly SB 2687 also protects our elections by preventing deep fakes from eroding public trust in government through the spread of misinformation Do you support comprehensive public financing of elections for candidates who choose to participate Hawaii already has a partial public financing option that requires candidates to receive a certain number of $100 donations to qualify I support this public financing option for candidates who choose to participate because it gives qualifying candidates additional matching funds from the state to help them run for office public financing is not without its challenges One of my concerns is the cost to taxpayers because the state currently does not have the resources to fully implement comprehensive public financing successfully I will be supportive of full public financing if we can truly commit the resources for a program that is carefully designed to prevent potential abuse Research indicates that small donors tend to be more ideologically extreme than average voters which can result in more extreme candidates gaining prominence This trend is exacerbated by the nature of online fundraising where extreme positions covered by the media often generate more donations and attention it is essential that we continuously evaluate and improve our systems to ensure they effectively promote fair and democratic elections without unintended negative consequences Hawaii is the only Western state without a statewide citizens initiative process I do not support a statewide citizens initiative process While I see the value in giving voters the opportunity to pass measures that may not receive legislative action or funding I am concerned about this tool being used to advance special interests we’ve seen how this process can be misused by well-funded groups to push their own agendas Big Tobacco spent $12 million to block a ban on flavored tobacco products in San Francisco oil and gas companies spent $40 million to defeat measures that would have increased regulations on drilling near homes and schools The high costs associated with running initiative campaigns often mean that only wealthy groups can effectively utilize this process I don’t believe Hawaii currently has the resources or capacity to effectively implement a statewide citizens initiative process It is essential that any such system we consider truly serves the public’s interests Thanks to their campaign war chests and name familiarity incumbents are almost always reelected in Hawaii legislative races Should there be term limits for state legislators as there are for the governor’s office and county councils I support term limits for state legislators While I recognize the value of keeping effective incumbents in office I also understand the community’s frustration with the lack of progress at the state level Introducing new energy and perspectives can benefit the Legislature I support placing a constitutional amendment before voters to decide on legislative term limits I believe in a staggered timeline to balance continuity and effective turnover allowing both parties to recruit strong candidates I propose a limit of up to 16 years for the Senate and up to 12 years for the House This duration allows members to gain valuable insight and leadership experience while preventing the stagnation and lack of urgency that can come from long-term incumbency.  What will you do to ensure accountability at the Legislature Do you support ideas such as requiring the Sunshine Law to apply to the Legislature or banning campaign contributions during session Campaign contributions from lobbyists are already prohibited during the legislative session designed to promote transparency in government meetings requires advance public notice of all meetings and the ability for the public to attend and testify it is not practical for the state Legislature due to our size and condensed schedule The legislative process is packed into just a few months making it challenging to comply with these requirements and still function effectively I do support limiting the number of bills considered each session This approach would allow lawmakers more time to thoroughly consider each proposed bill and effectively champion certain issues while providing the public with better opportunities to be informed and voice their opinions How would you make the Legislature more transparent and accessible to the public Opening conference committees to the public Stricter disclosure requirements on lobbying and lobbyists How could the Legislature change its own internal rules to be more open I believe that many of the hurdles standing between our state and a fully transparent legislative process stem from the short legislative calendar Unlike the year-round schedules of our local county councils our Legislature’s condensed timeline requires us to consider a vast amount of legislation hold numerous hearings and make critical decisions in a limited period restricting the number of bills each legislator can submit can help ensure that more time and attention are given to each proposal.  I also appreciated the House’s initiative to provide greater visibility into the final stages of the legislative process where critical decisions and compromises are made new conference rules required chairs to disclose the changes made to the bill what the differences were between the House and Senate versions and how much is being agreed to if funding is involved.  Many people have talked about diversifying the local economy for many years now and yet Hawaii is still heavily reliant on tourism should be done differently about tourism and the economy While diversifying our economy is important the reality is that no single industry currently matches the spending and tax revenues generated by tourism to balance economic stability and quality of life for local residents This includes diversifying within tourism by developing sectors like ecotourism and sports tourism we need to manage tourism in areas that impact local neighborhoods trail degradation and trash left behind are significant concerns One of my priorities has also been to focus on workforce development and sustaining industries with competitive salaries Investing in education and training programs will equip our workforce with the skills needed for high-demand fields such as skilled trades By creating a skilled and educated workforce we can attract and sustain industries that offer competitive salaries and long-term growth supporting local businesses to grow and succeed while encouraging innovation can stimulate economic diversification Providing incentives for startups and small businesses can foster a more resilient and varied economy.  An estimated 60% of Hawaii residents are struggling to get by a problem that reaches far beyond low-income and into the middle class What ideas do you have to help the middle class and working families who are finding it hard to continue to live here I’m committed to focusing on workforce development affordable housing and child care to help middle-class and working families thrive in Hawaii kids had a 90% chance of doing better than their parents; today This decline in opportunity makes it hard for our youth to stay in Hawaii Creating an educated and skilled workforce will help our youth build careers here with minimal debt local jobs and provide affordable housing so families don’t spend more than 30% of their income on housing leaving little room for savings or emergencies I’ll also tackle the everyday costs that burden our paychecks including the rising costs of property taxes I understand what’s broken with the system and I won’t give up until we fix it about 66,000 children under 5 need care while their parents work Prioritizing child care and after-school care will help parents stay in the workforce Expanding state-funded prekindergarten programs to more families will also enable more women to return to the workplace and contribute to our economy Unfortunately, being named a finalist for a Pulitzer prize doesn’t make us immune to financial pressures. The fact is, our revenue hasn’t kept pace with our need to grow, and we need your help Civil Beat is a nonprofit, reader-supported newsroom based in Hawaiʻi. We’re looking to build a more resilient, diverse and deeply impactful media landscape, and we hope you’ll help by supporting our essential journalism Civil Beat has been named the best overall news site in Hawaii for the 14th year in a row by the Society of Professional Journalists Hawaii Chapter Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls soccer powers Punahou and Kamehameha will play for the Motiv8 Foundation/HHSAA Division I championship Punahou will go for its third straight state title after ousting Moanalua and Kamehameha will seek to reclaim its former glory after it surged in the second half to top Waipahu in the two semifinals at a pristine Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium on Saturday Division II final between Kamehameha-Hawaii and Mid-Pacific The unusual finishing day is because the tournament was pushed back due to a heavy storm that forced all of Thursday’s quarterfinals to be postponed [Note: See below for more photos of the Punahou-Moanalua HHSAA semifinal.] Punahou owns 13 titles in the sport to Kamehameha’s 11 All other schools combined have 19 at the top tier of competition They have combined for the last five championships including the go-ahead score in the fifth minute when Moanalua Kelsey Yoshikawa scored the Buffanblu’s second goal in the 25th minute when she found herself open for a blast near the top of the box And Yoshimura took a touch pass from freshman Kylie Tang to put away Na Menehune in the 68th minute “We were super aware of the fact that they were going to have a really good defense a really good keeper (Marisa Lam) too,” Yoshimura told Spectrum OC16’s Jimmy Bender our mindset was just that we had to crash goal and put a full effort on their defense.” Kamehameha had bountiful opportunities early but it could not land a shot against the Cinderella of the tournament That changed dramatically in the second half Shanti Ng got the Warriors on the board in the 53rd minute and Mya Pasion recorded a hat trick in a 15-minute span Pasion got putback goal on a hot shot that the Marauders keeper couldn’t snare in the 56th minute scored on a straightaway penalty kick in the 68th then took a pass into box from Kulia Montgomery and went far post to the right in the 71st “On the field in the first half we already knew as a team that it was pretty chaotic,” Pasion told Bender “Coach Missy (Moore) was just there to calm us down (and tell us) we’re better than this we’re a good team and we can possess the ball.” Of the rematch with the Buffanblu on a Monday “It’s going to be a little different but it doesn’t change the fact that we will be playing them again we just need to come out 100% either way as a team and play for each other.” Anela Leslie scored in the 72nd minute for the Marauders who recorded the first two state tournament wins in school history to reach that point ILH champion Mid-Pacific faces BIIF champ Kamehameha-Hawaii after MPI edged KIF champ Kauai 1-0 and KSH routed Waimea 3-0 MPI won three straight titles from 2011-13 as its last state soccer triumphs while KSH won the second all-time D-II title in 2008 The ILH and BIIF are the only leagues to have won a D-II girls soccer championship In a significant move amid ongoing food safety concerns the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) Food Safety Branch issued a red “closed” placard to a popular L&L Hawaiian Barbecue location at Captain Cook on the Big Island The immediate shutdown follows an inspection revealing multiple critical health violations The Captain Cook location was inspected after a public complaint was filed on August 1 will evaluate whether they are in compliance and that’s the Hawaii Department of Health’s lack of transparency This incident occurred amidst significant scrutiny over the transparency and effectiveness of Hawaii’s food safety reporting. Our recent article, “Hawaiʻi’s Food Safety Goes Dark: Critical Lapse in Public Health Transparency” highlighted the state’s failure to maintain its online restaurant inspection reporting system The contract with the vendor maintaining the website expired in January 2024 leaving the public without access to critical health inspection information for over six months The lapse has raised serious concerns about public safety and government accountability Consumers now face challenges in making informed decisions about dining safely as they must rely on physical placards at restaurant locations rather than having access to inspection reports online This gap in service has been exacerbated by the lack of communication with state lawmakers leaving them uninformed about the expiration of the service contract and its implications the DOH Food Safety Division continues to conduct routine and complaint-based inspections the visibility of these efforts to the public is significantly reduced The situation underscores the need for improved governance and public communication to restore trust in Hawaii’s commitment to health and safety As the DOH hopefully prepares to announce a new vendor and restore the website which was expected in July and didn’t happen there is still hope that the renewed system will enhance the transparency and effectiveness of food safety regulations in Hawaii ensuring the well-being of residents and visitors alike Before this L&L Hawaiian Barbecue closure at Captain Cook, the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) recently issued red placards to Red Lobster in Waikiki and Café Alani in Waikiki due to severe health violations While L&L was closed for roach infestations and sewage issues Red Lobster faced similar problems with sewage backups between its kitchen entrance and dining area These closures and the lack of transparency by the DOH underscore ongoing challenges in maintaining food safety standards across the islands The lack of public access to online health inspection reports further exacerbates consumer concerns underscoring the need for prompt and effective communication from the DOH Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply I guess the question becomes whether Hawaii is trying to achieve a second or third world governance model can’t manage airports; what is their skill Thank you for writing about this very important issue I look forward to hearing a website is back up and accessible to the consumer It all comes down to the franchisee and how much effort they put in keeping kitchens need and clean in Hawaii is a full time job I’d be more concerned about food storage & hand washing procedures and making sure fridges and freezers are maintained at the proper temperatures Sorry Hawaiian’s simply don’t care If the amount of tourists to feed outnumber the restaurants available then why care about quality Most dishes contain rice or mac salad or noodles How can anyone screw up rice or boil macaroni Stay abreast of the latest island travel news Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and let Hawaii come to you The city’s managing director cautioned that the military has not yet given the green light and City Council members had many questions Wednesday Waipio Soccer Complex is emerging as the top contender for the city’s next landfill location prompting Honolulu City Council members to question what the logistics would look like the fields are currently used by Oahu’s approximately 30,000 soccer players according to the Department of Parks and Recreation’s website.  And using the land would require permission from the Navy which currently controls it and plans to use it as a location for ferrying materials across Pearl Harbor as it constructs a new $3.4 billion dry dock for submarines.  But Waipio peninsula is “the most promising location” for now Managing Director Mike Formby said at a March meeting of the City Council’s budget committee.  as evidenced on Wednesday at a council committee hearing Council members prodded for answers on the cost of relocating the heavily used soccer fields and how a landfill there would stand up against natural disasters Honolulu’s only municipal landfill is at Waimanalo Gulch near Ko Olina That location is scheduled to close in 2028 meaning that the city has a limited amount of time to find and open a new site somewhere else on Oahu.  The city was supposed to name a new location by the end of 2022 Finding a new location has proven to be difficult.  State legislation passed in 2020 prohibits a new landfill from being within a half-mile radius of schools, hospitals and residences. Other restrictions include airport buffer zones and “no pass zones” that sit over the island’s drinking water aquifers Blangiardi has said that the city is negotiating with the military to use a portion of its land Waipio peninsula remains the current frontrunner but opposition has surfaced already.  Frank Doyle of the Hawaii Soccer Association who played a large role in starting the Waipio Soccer Complex and was director of the Department of Environmental Services under Mayor Jeremy Harris “Lives have been improved by this facility in many The facility has 24 regulation fields and was built in 2000 for about $23 million or a little over $40 million with inflation president and executive director of the Hawaii Youth Soccer Association testified that they’re expecting to host 200 teams from the mainland during a tournament in June “Tens of millions have already been invested in Waipio Soccer Complex at its current site spending more money to build another soccer complex to make a landfill where we’ve already infrastructure and so on?” he asked Formby said that one possibility would be to move the soccer facility west to Kalaeloa where the city is also proposing to build a racetrack But that wouldn’t be as central a location Council members also asked about the site’s location near a tsunami zone and whether the facility would require a special management area permit since it would be near a shoreline.  Babcock pointed out that the land being considered actually falls outside the tsunami zone said that many questions still need to be addressed “Everything that you’re raising are valid questions and challenges — issues that would have to be resolved once the property was green-lighted If discussions with the military regarding Waipio peninsula don’t work out some of the city’s remaining options include finding private land using eminent domain to buy existing residential areas or asking state lawmakers to modify state law Formby said that he has consulted with some lawmakers about that last possibility but “they’ve advised that that would be a very difficult process.”  If discussions with the military do work out city officials then would begin a process of community outreach and looking into next steps such as getting permits The whole process would likely take about eight years meaning that they would have needed to start in 2020 in order to meet the 2028 deadline for closing the current Waimanalo Gulch site.  Space isn’t too much of an issue — Babcock said that the current site But city officials haven’t publicly announced a decision to extend use at the current site which Formby said is partially because they may find a site where a landfill can be opened quicker.  “Most people do the math and realize that at some point we’re going to have to make that decision But we’re not making it at this time,” Formby said Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here Hawaii Catholic Herald 07/03/2024 by Hawaii Catholic Herald The Dominican Sisters comprised the choir for their celebration Mass June 22 at Resurrection of the Lord Church in Waipio The mood in Waipio was light and joyful last month as the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary of the Philippines celebrated the 60th anniversary of their Hawaii region with a special Mass at Resurrection of the Lord Church Bishop Larry Silva presided at the June 22 Mass joined by 16 priests from across the diocese several deacons and a special guest: retired Cardinal Orlando Quevedo metropolitan archbishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Cotabato Religious women from other orders were also on hand as the Dominican Sisters marked six decades of their presence in Hawaii a mission that’s expanded to other Pacific islands as well as California The Mass included several touches unique to Hawaii such as an oli (Hawaiian chant) by Dominican Sister Malia Dominica Wong and a reflection hula after Communion by Sister Wong and Maryknoll Sister Yoo Soo Kim and Maryknoll Sister Yoo Soo Kim performed a reflection hula after Communion Two sisters also marked their jubilees in a recommitment ceremony: Sister Bernarda Sindol Bishop Silva noted how the Dominican order sets an example for others through actions “(The sisters) have so effectively brought life to the gospel of Jesus Christ because they have put on heartfelt compassion in caring for the elderly and in their obvious joy they have preached sermons that are not for publication but that have truly turned hearts to the love of the Lord Jesus.” “Each sister of course has her own gifts and talents which she has shared with countless others But one of their greatest strengths is their witness as a community as true sisters of one another and of us all,” Bishop Silva said He also highlighted the sisters’ devotion to their vows of poverty as well as the special impact they have in classrooms: “The real effectiveness of their teaching is their daily humble service filled with joy as the dear friends of Jesus himself.” The day’s celebration concluded with a gala dinner in Waikiki Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary, Mass, Resurrection of the Lord Church Copyright © 2025 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in decided to not allow the city to build a new landfill there previously the frontrunner for Honolulu’s next landfill The Navy controls the land at Waipio peninsula which juts into Pearl Harbor across from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam It spent nine months evaluating how the city’s landfill proposal could affect its operations before ultimately saying no the city announced in a press release Tuesday It’s another setback for the city’s effort to site a new landfill, which it was originally required to do by the end of 2022 before requesting an extension to the end of 2024 The Planning Commission is expected to approve that request Honolulu’s only municipal landfill is at Waimanalo Gulch near Ko Olina That site opened in 1989 and is set to close in 2028 the city has been scouring the island for new places to put a landfill State law forbids a landfill within a half mile of schools That leaves only federal land like Waipio peninsula Now the city intends to explore amending state law It also plans to consult with the Honolulu Board of Water Supply to talk about how it could best construct a landfill that doesn’t contaminate the island’s water supply and the thick mud along the steepest road of its length in the United States filled the air with the heady scent of fresh and it was the perfect time to visit: The abundant rain left waterfalls streaming down like faucets turning Waipio Valley’s 2,000-foot sheer cliff faces into the backside of a giant infinity-edge swimming pool an unassuming windowless white van kitted out with four-wheel drive and heavy-tread tires country-style Waipio Valley Artworks in Honokaa having only ever been to the lookout at the end of Hamakua Heritage Corridor Drive and read the signs saying you’ll need four-wheel drive and an invitation to get into the depths of the valley has been ferrying visitors into the valley since 1970 The tours allow you to get beyond the county road and experience valley life at times navigating branches of Wailoa Stream as if they were roads lived with his wife for a little over a year in what was the only house in the valley with electricity He tells us about the 120 inches of rain that fall here each year Facing down a 900-foot drop over less than a mile Rodriguez appears to be an expert navigator of this road which at times feels narrower than its two lanes to pull the parking brake and stop on some of the most extreme cliffside sections to tell us about the time he encountered a tiger shark feeding on river fish “right down there,” or pausing after inching along It’s a relief when the van levels off and rumbles back into the valley and we are able to sit upright without effort tells us that around 50 people live in the valley today He points out Milton’s house with the great waterfall view and the small 5-by-5-foot patch of Brad’s yard that happens to be the only spot in the valley with cell service Rodriguez pulls the van alongside a stream and tells us how just yesterday the water level was as high as his friend’s small boat shed Water is everything in Waipio—even its name means “curved water,” presumably for the snaking rivers that wind their way across the lush valley floor It’s the backdrop— Hakalaoa and Hiilawe falls gush down hundreds of feet into the valley—and a way of life “I just don’t love to paddle.” This solicits giggles from the group kayaks and inner tubes and float beneath tunnels of foliage along Wailoa Stream clear through to the sea “I would load up my kayak and coast all the way down we’d show up at the beach and spend the day,” says Rodriguez Trees filled with slippers are prepped for these occasions—everyone grabs a pair for the walk upstream to do it all over again pulls out a long pole with a small metal grabber basket at the end from under the seats he uses the pole to point out an unripe wild cacao pod “There’s a guy down here who made 80 pounds of chocolate using found cacao last year,” Rodriguez says describing the high prices these fruits fetch in Japan and on the Mainland these feral citrus fruits are bursting with juice and before long everyone’s hands are a sticky mess We get out to take pictures of the twin streams and of the 1,000-foot-plus Hiilawe waterfall— and Rodriguez cracks open a fresh coconut and passes it around the message is clear: The residents may appear to not have much the ruins of a dozen heiau (temple) and cultural sites attest to the valley’s heyday an estimated 5,000 Hawaiians called the valley home and there was enough farming and fishing to sustain them especially following the devastating 1946 tsunami that surged into the valley the 50-odd valley residents are a mix of relative newcomers seeking an off-the-grid lifestyle and kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiians) who have lived here for generations others continue traditional wetland taro farming and some commute up and down the steep road (rain permitting) for work and school attempt the road in their rental vehicles or take the shuttle—but everyone must make the trek back up before dark; there’s nowhere to stay overnight unless you’re an invited guest mahalo,” we encounter another sort of valley resident A brown horse with white patches saunters up the middle of the road and heads for the passenger-side window Rodriguez explains the horse is a descendant of those abandoned when the tsunami struck 73 years ago And they’re not shy—they stick their noses in the windows prodding for oranges I can smell the musty mildew of their briar-matted manes Rodriguez has come prepared with alfalfa lumps and tosses a few to a pregnant mare foraging for riverside shoots a hibiscus grove and ramshackle homes including the old “motel”—now just a private residence—with the only two surviving buildings from the 1946 and 1960 tsunamis letting the force of the coursing water press against the tires and stream beneath the hot metal of the still-running van I can’t help but feel as though we’ve journeyed from the world above to an entirely different one below relaxing afternoon—it turned out to be only about an hour and a half—it’s time to head back The van wheels engaging with the slope is like a roller-coaster car being pulled ever higher toward the drop I can almost hear the clicking of the tracks in a transition that feels as abrupt as a drop I’m returned to the world of convenience and cell service my mind as fuzzy as if I had just awakened from a dream Meghan Miner Murray is a Kona-based freelance science and travel writer contributing researcher for National Geographic Traveler magazine and a scuba guide Reservations recommended. One-and-a-half to two-hour tours are offered Monday through Saturday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; cost is $65 adults, $35 children under 11. Call (808) 775-7121 to book or visit waipiovalleyshuttle.com. Cars heading up toward the lookout have the right of way 4) Consider booking a tour instead of heading into the valley on your own HONOLULU — The Hawaii soccer community breathed a collective sigh of relief on Tuesday morning when the City and County of Honolulu announced it is no longer considering the Waipio Soccer Complex as the site of a new landfill for Oahu which controls land on the Waipio Peninsula recently notified Mayor Rick Blangiardi that it is “unable to support the development of a landfill on this property,” according to a city news release I’ve had the biggest grin on my face all day,” Scott Keopuhiwa President and Executive Director of the Hawaii Youth Soccer Association “We’re absolutely thrilled that they’re no longer going to consider Waipio for a landfill.” Concerns in the soccer community were high since the Islands’ central hub for the sport over the last two-plus decades was named in March as a leading candidate to replace the Waimanalo Gulch landfill The sprawling Waipio Soccer Complex features 21 fields over 288 acres including the 4,500-seat Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium where the University of Hawaii and small colleges play High school and club teams compete for championships there Keopuhiwa and others first gleaned that it was being seriously considered for a landfill about a year ago He said he considers Waipio a “second home” to put on events for HYSA’s roughly 7,500 members on a weekly basis it is viewed as an ideal site for league matches The city had floated the idea of constructing a new soccer complex and it became more evident – right after the mayor’s state of the city address where they said Waipio was the leading candidate to become a landfill – that’s when we really kind of were shocked that it was coming to that,” he said “I think that really got our attention the most.” A Change.org petition started by Hawaii Soccer Association President Sergio Bolioli to keep Waipio as-is had garnered more than 21,000 signatures as of Tuesday afternoon This is about the entire soccer community statewide,” Bolioli wrote “The negative impact this will have across tens of thousands of players referees and spectators is beyond anyone's imagination “The Waipio Soccer Complex has been the heart and soul of Hawaii soccer for the past 24 years It has helped produce national championship teams and nurtured many professional players thousands of children and adults use this park alongside neighbor island The city estimates about 30,000 soccer players regularly use the space University of Hawaii soccer coach Michele Nagamine told Spectrum News that a new soccer complex in West Oahu would put an added burden on families that have gotten used to making sacrifices commuting to the west-of-center location of Waipio “I think major sigh of relief for the soccer community really adversely affected the youth soccer market in Hawaii so happy that the soccer community was able to band together and let their voices be heard.” Her team will play its entire 2024 season at Waipio while UH’s new on-campus soccer venue remains under construction it is now slated for completion in January 2025 the closest thing Hawaii had to a soccer hub was at Kapiolani Park – but that was a totally different vibe with He was on a task force for the administration of then-mayor Jeremy Harris to get Waipio off the ground Keopuhiwa and others attended City Council committee meetings and submitted testimony to the State Legislature in recent months He said he was “shocked and pleasantly surprised” that the Navy would issue its decision this early in the process signed off on the Navy’s decision due to “near-shore waters” and “the Navy’s mission critical operations and training activities in the vicinity of the Waipio Peninsula.” has already eliminated from consideration a site in Waianae on federal land and the military excluded an option near Bellows Air Force Base in Waimanalo The city indicated it could pursue an amendment to reduce the “buffer distance” for a new landfill to make more sites available Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com Hawaii — The Hawaii County Department of Public Works announced a safety enhancement project will take place along Waipio Valley Road from May 9 to May 10 Work on the project will occur between 8:30 a.m with the goal to improve road safety and ensure long-term integrity for road users drilling into the road to evaluate the soil and rock composition and assess the stability of the road’s foundation Findings will help guide future improvements to ensure the durability of the road and its ability to withstand nature and heavy use Boring will take place in four sites along Waipio Valley Road with brief closures of 15 to 20 minutes affecting traffic as equipment is moved from each site there will be single-lane closures with flaggers stationed to manage traffic flow and ensure the safety of motorists and workers Hawaii — The Department of Parks and Recreation announced plans to finish an extensive rejuvenation project at the Waipio Soccer Complex by this summer.  “The ultimate goal of this effort is to increase the quality of these fields to tournament-level specifications by eradicating weeds and other repairs to all of the complex’s fields,” DPR said in a news release The project began in late 2023 with DPR staff addressing field maintenance issues water fountain maintenance and painting.  volunteers with the Hawaii Rush Soccer Club the University of Hawaii and Hawaii Pacific University Soccer Teams and the Hawaii Youth Soccer Association have helped with weed removal and basic leveling.  DPR worked with regular park permittees and leagues to reduce use of the fields to allow the rejuvenated fields to rest This meant less weekday practices and select closures This will allow the fields to be in prime shape for the 2024 U.S Youth Soccer West Regional Championship in June and the Hawaii International Cup in August.  In the future, DPR is considering implementing periodic closures to allow the fields to rest and for field maintenance. The state agency recently implemented a plan to do this at the Patsy T Mink Central Oahu Regional Park.   Waipio Soccer Complex is a unique soccer facility in Hawaii, which spans 288 acres and includes 21 regulation fields and a 5,000-seat stadium with lights for evening games. Learn more about the complex by visiting DPR’s website Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com The group objects to Mayor Mitch Roth’s decision to start allowing limited access again to the famous Big Island valley residents and lineal descendants of Waipio Valley blocked access to the county road that leads down into the iconic valley on Monday The blockade is a protest over Mayor Mitch Roth’s recent decision allowing limited access for Hawaii island residents county-permitted tour operators and those seeking to practice Native Hawaiian customs and traditions People entering the valley must travel in covered four-wheel drive vehicles or riding in the back of pick-up trucks is prohibited according to the mayor’s announcement Thursday Roth amended his emergency proclamation from Feb 25 that closed the road to virtually anyone except valley residents The closure caught many people off guard and sparked protests and litigation from residents who regularly visit Waipio including cultural practitioners Protesters on Monday said Roth’s decision to reopen the road to certain groups is wrong and was made without their consultation “This lack of due process to consider the input from Waipio kupuna, farmers and ohana in making decisions that impact them and the valley can not and will no longer be tolerated,” protesters said in a joint statement, issued by a group called Protect Waipio Valley “It is the County’s civil duty to protect community members and address significant community concerns which Hawaii County Mayor Mitchell Roth has chosen to ignore in response to legal threats by special interest groups,” the statement continued Roth said he and his staff have listened closely and have consulted with all sides in the Waipio debate His office has done mediation with plaintiffs regarding access rules listened to community concerns and continued to review expert information “The amended declaration and rules reflect all of those factors,” Roth said he expressed some sympathy with the protesters and kalo farmers of the valley are asking that no one enter the valley at this time unless they have an immediate responsibility there or are a resident Our administration supports their efforts to educate prospective visitors about their sentiments and asks the community to be mindful of their actions as they affect others,” Roth said A spokeswoman for Malama I ke Kai o Waipio a group of ocean users who sued the county and pushed for the road’s reopening said members respect the right of peaceful protest that’s happening at the Waipio Valley Lookout “Being able to voice concerns is really important, and there are many concerns in Waipio that have not been heard so I think this is one way to be heard,” said spokesperson Heather Nahaku Kalei Kalei blamed Roth for issuing the emergency closure back in February saying decisions over Waipio management should result from a large stakeholder process not by government decree “I hope he is taking a hard look at this,” she said One thing both sides seem to have in common is that commercial tour operators are unwelcome in Waipio Valley one of the Big Island’s most popular visitor destinations Roth’s decision to reopen the road allows licensed tour operators to bring visitors to the valley as long as they have newly issued county permits no permit applications from tour operators had been received “It’s pretty clear that tour operators are not desired in Waipio and I urge him not to issue permits,” said Kalei Waipio kupuna, taro farmers and others who want the road to remain closed said allowing tour operators back into the valley directly violates their concerns they have called for the road to be open only to farmers residents and individuals who “give back to Waipio or taking care of Waipio’s unique natural and cultural resources,” according to their news release Steve Strauss, an attorney who sued the county over the road closure said he doesn’t support the notion of limiting access to the valley over a county road to those fortunate enough to live or work in Waipio ocean access is a fundamental constitutional right of the people,” Strauss said by email An advisory group on Waipio Valley access and management is expected to be formed by the mayor within the next few months Strauss and others will likely propose new regulatory measures over Waipio Valley access to the County Council for consideration soon Roth says he’s prepared to be at the table “We look forward to continued discussions regarding access to the roadway and encourage everyone who is a stakeholder to participate in those meetings to ensure their manao is represented,” the mayor said Paula Dobbyn is a reporter for Civil Beat based on the Big Island Reach her by email at pdobbyn@civilbeat.org on Twitter @pauladobbyn or on Instagram @bigislandreporter Banning pedestrians from the road into the valley runs contrary to state and county law On Wednesday, Dec. 23, the Hawaii County Council will consider a bill banning most pedestrians from the road into Waipio Valley public county road provides the only access to Waipio’s mile-long beach as well as the state’s Muliwai hiking trail its campground in the valley beyond and the mauka-makai King’s Trail all of which can only be traversed on foot The state lands in Waipio and the valleys beyond it are scenic historic and full of recreational interest but if this bill succeeds hikers on foot will be banned And hikers who drive down the road instead of walking will find there is no parking and will thus be forced to turn around In the entire Hamakua District (with its 50 miles of coastline) introduced by former Hawaii County Council member Valerie Poindexter would have banned all pedestrians on the road The bill was amended in committee to allow only Waipio landowners residents and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners to walk there despite overwhelmingly negative public testimony the Committee on Public Works and Mass Transit advanced the bill to the council Opposition testimony from Jackson Bauer of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program noted that “the bill would severely limit the public’s right to access public lands.” Bill 217 would defeat the purpose of state law on “Public Access to Coastal and Inland Recreational Areas,” which says: “The absence of public access to Hawaii’s shorelines … constitutes an infringement upon the fundamental right of free movement in public space and access to and use of coastal … areas The purpose of this chapter is to guarantee the right of public access to the sea and inland recreational areas …” (Sec Access to public lands is meant to be equal The law does not grant it to some while callously denying it to others 2-83) also mandates that the county afford “fair and impartial treatment” to “all persons.” but the discussion has not been informed by evidence-based criteria or expert safety analysis It has not been established how many pedestrians are too many there was no analysis of how the road will be safer when pedestrians decide to drive down instead The consensus of the public testimony against Bill 217 is that the road’s real danger lies not with pedestrians but with tourists not knowing how to drive their rented four-wheel-drive vehicles or the rules for driving that particular road An analysis of accidents on the road does not substantiate Poindexter’s claim that pedestrians are creating “a recipe for disaster.” Pedestrians and vehicles have shared this road since the original trail was paved in 1962 Although there have been tragic vehicular accidents (the last fatality was 18 years ago) pedestrians may even be making the road safer Many traffic experts believe that where traffic moves slowly the presence of pedestrians fosters more attentive driving resulting in fewer and less severe accidents Drivers’ nervousness around pedestrians actually promotes the vigilance that makes us all safer which may explain why a steep and narrow road like this one relatively minor accidents in recent years the few remaining may actually be less safe because drivers will not be expecting them and will drive accordingly Recent efforts to improve safety may also be working but their effectiveness has not been assessed the Hawaii Legislature passed a law allowing only low-range Rangers at the overlook now explain safety procedures These and other factors (such as improvements in brake technology) may help explain why the long-expected disaster has not occurred A rigorous analysis by traffic experts should be done to assess the present situation and recommend road safety improvements aimed at mitigating the risk including the physical condition of the road 115-7) on public access says that the “development and maintenance of the rights-of-way … shall be the responsibility of the county.” The county’s clear duty is to keep the road open for pedestrian access to public lands and to maintain the road so that it is fit for this purpose Interested members of the public can offer written and oral testimony. Instructions are on the Hawaii County Council website and at Keep Waipio Open it will go through a second reading at the next full council hearing so there is ample opportunity to voice concern Honolulu Civil Beat is a nonprofit organization and your donation helps us produce local reporting that serves all of Hawaii Ed Johnston is a retired horticulturist who lives in Pepeekeo he was active in the five-year effort to open the shoreline access to Onomea Bay now part of the statewide Na Ala Hele trail system Ideas is the place you'll find essays, analysis and opinion on public affairs in Hawaiʻi. We want to showcase smart ideas about the future of Hawaiʻi, from the state's sharpest thinkers, to stretch our collective thinking about a problem or an issue. Email news@civilbeat.org to submit an idea Sign up for our FREE morning newsletter and face each day more informed This is the first part of This is Our Hawaiʻi rice and sausage are spread out on folding tables There are stacks of canned goods and coolers of refreshments She's manning the kupuna checkpoint for the group Protect Waipiʻo Valley the tents she stands under have been a physical reminder of a community at its breaking point The checkpoint sits in front of the only entrance into the valley of Waipiʻo on Hawaiʻi Island thousands of visitors took the steep access road down into the valley That was until late February 2022, when Hawaiʻi Mayor Mitch Roth issued an emergency proclamation that closed the access road indefinitely A geotechnical survey showed that rockfall from the cliff above the road was potentially dangerous leaseholders and farmers would be allowed entrance What Roth couldn't have known was that his proclamation would trigger a deep rift among the people of the island Waipiʻo residents have voiced concerns of over-use The closure came on the heels of the pandemic which had already put a pause on the constant stream of visitors into the valley the space felt like it belonged to residents again in a way it hadn't for decades Kū Kahakalau is the face of Protect Waipiʻo Valley and they've been feeling the effects of overtourism for years Kahakalau said tourists feel entitled to the land especially after spending money on expensive plane tickets “Just because you bought a ticket to be here doesn't mean you have a right to go anywhere you want,” she said When COVID-19 restricted tourism in the valley it felt as though those concerns were finally being addressed Roth's emergency proclamation extended that sense of relief for some ones who didn’t own land in the valley but would come to its mile-long black sand beach to surf Roland Shackelford was one of those residents He said the 2022 closure left him “dumbfounded.” “Some of my earliest memories of being a kid are being down in Waipiʻo,” he said And a lot of our life growing up was at the beach Several Hawaiʻi Island community members formed the group Mālama i ke Kai ʻo Waipiʻo They sued Roth and the county in April 2022 arguing that the geotechnical survey was flawed and that the county had violated people's right to public shoreline access The division between Waipiʻo residents and other Big Island residents was one of Shackelford's main points of contention “What determines who is a farmer [and] who is a resident?” he asked That distinction remained murky at an official level When HPR reached out to the county to see how they enforced their emergency proclamation they stated in an email that they “relied on folks to use the honor system when going down both of our Parks information specialists at the lookout are both residents and farmers in the valley and have a keen understanding of who farms and lives within the valley.” The county further clarified that there was “no list” of people with access to the valley; anyone with a Hawaiʻi driver's license was legally allowed to enter Shackelford felt that the county's hands-off approach left community members to fend for themselves MaKa entered mediation with the mayor and amended the proclamation as it stands today: Hawaiʻi Island residents in 4-wheel drive vehicles can enter Waipiʻo Valley “We felt it was a success,” Shackelford said “It then got twisted into being a negative.” To many who lived and worked in the valley Waipiʻo residents believed that their access to the road — and with it their homes and livelihoods — should take priority The road was barely able to handle residential traffic “I feel the other side just thinks about what is beneficial for themselves That's an American mindset,” Kahakalau said entering the valley could be morally wrong People using the valley for recreation instead of letting the valley rest were putting their personal well-being ahead of the needs of the community and the land that individualistic philosophy was an imported mindset — and fundamentally opposed to Hawaiian values we make our decisions based on what is pono for people The day the valley reopened to all Big Island residents a group of Waipiʻo residents and their supporters began standing guard at a checkpoint 24 hours a day members advised tourists that the valley was closed to visitors and asked their fellow community members to stay out — if they could help it They also had a petition people could sign to allow only residents and farmers to access the valley until the county addressed all safety concerns related to the road Waipiʻo and its unique and irreplaceable resources and traditions need our protection and respect — not only for their historical significance but also for their human significance to modern kanaka,” the group said in a September 2022 press release “Waipiʻo Valley road is one of these critical resources for all farming and residing in Waipiʻo and must be framed and protected as such.” With so much attention on the dispute between Protect Waipiʻo Valley and MaKa it can be easy to forget that there are more than two players in the valley Bishop Museum is the majority landowner in Waipiʻo Valley They control almost 70% of the valley floor and lease land to taro farmers Bishop Museum announced its intent to sell its land holdings there for close to $10 million The sale was supposed to keep the museum solvent but it left leasees and stakeholders scrambling the experience rocked residents and community members Bishop's attempt to sell was a reminder that everyone's claims to Waipiʻo — even those who have lived in the valley for generations who have a spiritual connection to the land — were vulnerable It's also easy to forget that locals are not the only ones who own property in the valley Wealthy families from the mainland have also purchased land in Waipiʻo They run a billion-dollar data cloud company called Snowflake they bought a three-acre parcel at the back of the valley under the name Ballenita Trust The purchase was finalized one week after MaKa filed its lawsuit HPR reached out to the Dagevilles to ask what their plans were for their property in Waipiʻo They did not respond to requests for comment For as long as community members have been having bitter conversations with each other about who belongs where others have been able to buy an all-access pass to the land in Hawaiʻi — for the right price People can file lawsuits or build blockades but it seems as though true control often goes to whoever has the deepest pockets HPR asked Bishop Museum if it was considering selling its Waipiʻo Valley holdings in the future vice president and general counsel for the museum said he would do everything in his power to prevent that and part of its mission to educate and preserve than to sell it to anyone else,” Kong said Two weeks after HPR visited Sherry Pung at the Protect Waipiʻo Valley tent A line of parked cars quickly took its place “It was like we were never there,” Pung said “Because everybody can go home and spend time with their ʻohana.” Pung said she looked forward to spending more time with her grandchildren The county continues to work on the access road Hawaiʻi County’s Public Works Engineering Division said it had completed the rockfall mitigation work along the road The county has now started on phase two to cover the next 1,300 feet of road The checkpoint was a different kind of landmark than one would typically see at a tourist destination — a physical invitation for residents and visitors alike to consider their relationship to the land it's up to the individual to decide whether they belong in Waipiʻo Valley This Is Our Hawaiʻi is produced by Hawaiʻi Public Radio, a member of the NPR Podcast Network, with support from PRX and is made possible in part by a grant from the John S Mahalo to PRX's Mike Russo for his continued support. Logo design by Kristin Lipman This Is Our Hawaiʻi was made possible with financial support from HPR members. Consider making a contribution today Subscribe to This Is Our Hawaiʻi wherever you get your podcasts. a black sand beach and a spectacular descent make this place an all-too-popular destination for tourists Hawaii Island – Overuse of the historic Waipio Valley and an effort to sell much of the land have created an uncertain future for the hearty people who live the valley near the northern tip of the Big Island holds a black sand beach and an eye-popping waterfall that attract hundreds of visitors a day down a steep access road — too many visitors “It’s a critical time for Waipio,” said Jim Cain a commercial taro farmer who lived in the valley for more than 20 years and now resides part-time in nearby Honokaa He points to greater cooperation among stakeholders resulting in partial control being shifted from largely Oahu-based “absentee” landowners back to the 80-100 people who make their home on the valley floor “I think we’re moving in a real positive direction,” he said is a move by leaders of Oahu’s Bishop Museum to take a more hands-on approach after their predecessors put the museum’s 537 acres – the most of any valley landowner – up for sale in January 2016 Several news reports have placed the value of the land at about $10 million “The cultural and historical significance of Waipio Valley is undeniable,” Ide wrote “We believe the most important thing for Waipio Valley is to ensure the proper stewardship of its lands Complex title issues will be costly to resolve should any sale move forward who has farmed taro in the valley for a half-century and serves as president of the roughly 65-member Waipio Taro Farmers Association The valley’s future “kind of hinges on how solvent Bishop Museum is going to be moving forward,” he said said although agreements have been extended for five years in the fourth year annual rents for “useable” land will rise from the current $60 per acre to $200 an acre About two-thirds of the poi sold on the Big Island is made from taro grown in Waipio Valley An ever-growing number of visitors are attracted to the remote valley’s black sand beach, burial sites called heiau and one of Hawaii’s largest waterfalls. Hiilawe Falls actually splits into two majestic cascades before dropping more than 1,200 feet A trail leading to the waterfall is on private property Signs warn against trespassing and note a burial site is nearby but that restriction often is ignored by visitors determined to experience “hidden Hawaii,” as it’s touted on social media sites “Something has to be done because it’s being treated as a park but it’s not being maintained as a park,” Cain said noting there are only a few portable bathrooms available for public use and very limited parking in the back of the valley He and other locals claim Waipio is the Big Island’s second-most visited tourist attraction, trailing only Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Numerous online travel sites support that assertion The national park has been closed since May due to earthquake damage dangerous volcanic ash and explosions at the summit crater of Kilauea volcano – park officials plan to reopen portions Sept “It’s really beautiful,” said Barbara Zimmer who recently journeyed to the Waipio Valley floor with her husband hours after arriving on the Big Island for the first time The couple live in a mountainous region of southern Germany But those routes are not on the same level as Waipio Valley Road mostly one-lane path that drops 800 vertical feet over a 0.6-mile distance “That’s awesome,” Toby Zimmer said after successfully navigating what Wikipedia calls “the steepest road of its length in the United States.” Although both the website and a sign at the top warn that the four-wheel-drive-only road has a 25 percent grade Landslides resulting from a sheer cliff and frequent rain are common forcing closure of the Hawaii County-owned road until work crews remove debris It cannot handle the hordes of pedestrians local traffic and commercial farmers hauling heavy loads Some favor establishing an interpretive visitors center at the rim so tourists can learn about the valley without actually experiencing it first-hand “We really feel we’ve reached that capacity,” Eskaran said “It’s gotten to the point where it’s just too many people.” Eskaran said some have trespassed on his farm and he’s towed several two-wheel-drive vehicles back up to the valley’s rim but we’re not very happy about it,” Eskaran said a valley resident and county parks and recreation resource ranger stationed at the rim said that on Labor Day he counted 168 local vehicles and 40 rentals making the descent who’s unable to tally hikers who can number in the hundreds per day Visitors frequently don’t know how to use four-wheel drive or navigate the steep grade Cain worries about people getting hurt while trying to navigate the treacherous access road – the only one into the valley “It’s amazing that somebody has not gotten killed … because when things go bad on the hill Actually, someone has gotten killed. A Hamakua man died and another man was badly injured in 2002 when the four-wheel-drive pickup truck they were in went off the cliff Waipio Valley, which means “curved water” in Hawaiian and is the largest of six valleys located along the Hamakua Coast, also is home to wild horses. In the past several months, 12 have died and another was euthanized after showing “abnormal neurologic signs,” according to an Aug. 7 update from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Control Branch but no one is certain what has harmed the animals who has lived above the valley for 10 years and runs a nearby restaurant suggested the horses drank river water contaminated by oil and antifreeze leaked from trucks that cross the waterway to reach the back of the valley “There’s hardly any fish in the river right now and that might be the reason why,”  Vidlak said Thoughts on this or any other story? Write a Letter to the Editor. Send to news@civilbeat.org and put Letter in the subject line. 200 words max. You need to use your name and city and include a contact phone for verification purposes. 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ang HDOH para makatugon sa mga kahilingan sa akomodasyon Ke kole ʻa e lea fakafonua pe lava ʻo ngāue ʻaki ʻa e ngaahi polokalama HDOH pe ngaahi fakataha fakapuleʻangá, kātaki ʻo fetuʻutaki ki he Kōʻotineita ʻIkai-Filifilimānako ʻa e HDOH, ʻi he (808) 586-4400 pe ʻīmeili: [email protected] Kātaki ʻo ʻoange ha taimi feʻunga maʻá e HDOH ke fakakakao ʻa e ngaahi kole ki he nofoʻangá หากต้องการขอภาษาอื่นเพิ่มเติมหรือการเข้าถึงโปรแกรม HDOH หรือการประชุมสาธารณะ โปรดติดต่อผู้ประสานงานด้านการไม่เลือกปฏิบัติของ HDOH ที่หมายเลข (808) 586-4400 หรืออีเมล: [email protected] โปรดให้เวลาอย่างเพียงพอเพื่อให้ทาง HDOH สามารถตอบสนองต่อคาขอที่พ ักได้ Để yêu cầu ngôn ngữ hoặc quyền tiếp cận các chương trình HDOH hoặc các cuộc họp công khai, vui lòng liên hệ với Điều phối viên Phụ trách về Không phân biệt Đối xử của HDOH theo số (808)586-4400 hoặc gửi email tới: [email protected] Vui lòng choHDOH đủ thời gian để đáp ứng các yêu cầu về biện pháp trợ giúp đặc biệt Aron mohangyo og pinulongan o access para sa mga programa sa HDOH o publikong mga miting, palihog kontaka ang HDOH Non-Discrimination Coordinator, sa (808) 586-4400 o pag-email sa: [email protected] Palihog paghatag og igong panahon aron maatiman sa HDOH ang hangyo para sa akomodasyon HI – Chemicals known as PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been detected in water samples collected at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply (BWS) Waipi‘o Heights Wells which are part of the Waipi‘o Heights water system (Public Water System HI0000334).  the EPA issued proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) EPA proposed a Hazard Index to determine the combined risk of four specific PFAS chemicals in drinking water at a site and is calculated by summing the ratio of each detected compound relative to its Health-Based Water Concentration at which time these values would become enforceable legal limits and public water systems would be required to test for these chemicals The detected levels of PFAS at the Waipi‘o Heights Wells Pumps 1 and 2 in February 2023 are listed in the table below there is no acute (short-term) health risk associated with drinking the water.  However the detections of PFOA and PFOS are above EPA’s lifetime health advisories for these chemicals which could indicate a potential health risk over a lifetime of drinking water with these levels of the chemicals Those concerned may use a home filtration option to reduce PFAS PFAS are fluorinated organic chemicals that have been used extensively in consumer products such as carpets They are also a component of fire-fighting foam and have many industrial uses The Waipi‘o Heights water system serves approximately 11,516 individuals and is located on the leeward side of the island of O‘ahu For more information on PFAS, please see https://www.epa.gov/pfas or https://health.hawaii.gov/pfas Users may also contact their water purveyor This press release is issued in accordance with Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Section 340E‑24(b) Big Island Video News Photo courtesy Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works Hawaiʻi - The extended rules continue the prohibition of all pedestrians (BIVN) – The closure of Waipi‘o Valley Road hsa been continued according to extended emergency rules signed by Mayor Mitch Roth The rules continue the prohibition of all pedestrians “Vehicular access by Hawai‘i County residents and Native Hawaiians claiming exercise of traditional and/or customary rights,” will be allowed Closures are also in effect due to the Waipiʻo Valley Road Improvement Project that began in March posted to the Hawaiʻi County website and dated March 8 indicates the continued rules are effective March 10 The full text of the Mayor’s Waipi‘o Valley Road Continued Emergency Rule No. 2 and Emergency Rule No.1: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (“HRS”) Sections 264-1.5 and 127A-25(a) health and safety concerns presented by the current conditions of the Waipiʻo Valley Road and the impact of closure on those located in Waipiʻo Valley if the road is closed or fails adoption and promulgation of this Mayor’s Waipiʻo Valley Road Emergency Rule No 1 previously adopted and promulgated on September 15 These rules have the force and effect of law This Continued Emergency Rule is based on the statements contained in the Tenth Amended Traffic Emergency Zone Declaration and Tenth Declaration of Emergency for Waipiʻo Valley Road effective March 10 subject to the express limited exceptions herein Vehicular access by Hawai‘i County residents and Native Hawaiians claiming exercise of traditional and/or customary rights Vehicles and passengers shall abide by existing traffic laws four-wheel drive vehicles (All wheel drive vehicles are not considered low range • Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) shall not exceed 10,000 pounds except for utility and emergency vehicles or existing vehicles used for transit of agricultural products; • Vehicles shall be engaged in four-wheel drive mode at all times; • Vehicle passengers shall be seated in enclosed compartments of vehicles designed for passenger seating and wearing seatbelts; • Makai-bound vehicles shall yield to mauka-bound vehicles Licensed/insured tour operators must obtain a permit from the Mayor’s office • Permits shall be effective for a period of four (4) months from date of issuance The Mayor may grant individual exemptions to this rule upon request and shall explain the purpose for which Waipiʻo Valley Road will be used and upon sufficient showing that safety precautions consistent with these rules are in place The decision to grant or deny a request is within the sole discretion of the Mayor Request shall be submitted to the Mayor’s Office at 25 Aupuni Street Regardless of Limited Access Exceptions Pursuant to Section B Complete Closure During Significant Weather Events Waipio Valley Road shall be closed for all use during significant weather events as determined by the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency in consultation with the Department of Public Works This rule is not intended to limit the legal authority of government agencies to close of Waipiʻo Valley Road as otherwise provided by law Closure and Limited Access During Periods of Construction Access to Waipiʻo Valley Road may be closed or further restricted during active road repair and/or mitigation activities The Department of Public Works will hold public meetings as part of its road utilization planning during periods of road construction Information and updates regarding the Waipiʻo Valley Road may be found at Bulletins | Hawaii County I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the County of Hawai‘i to be affixed Filed Under: Hamakua Tagged With: Waipiʻo Valley Road Copyright © 2025 · Dynamik-Gen on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in Some say the risk from rockfall is minimal and that it’s really just about further restricting access The public can weigh in at a meeting Wednesday A decision by Hawaii County’s mayor to close the popular Waipio Valley Road is stirring debate on the Big Island with some residents saying the decision caught them off guard and others calling it heavy handed Citing threats to public safety from hazardous road conditions, Mayor Mitch Roth issued an emergency proclamation on Feb 25 that bars access to the road with few exceptions — possibly until 2025 “Waipio Valley Road is in imminent threat of slope and roadway failure threatening the health safety and welfare of the people,” according to the emergency order The danger is of such magnitude that it warrants “preemptive and protective action.” the mayor’s spokesman said despite some of the criticism over the road closure “We understand that this decision has caused frustration for certain members of our community but are confident that the effort will only create a safer environment for all of the valley’s visitors moving forward,” said spokesman Cyrus Johnasen narrow corridor on the Big Island’s north shore that drops dramatically to a mile-long as well as the Muliwai Trail and campground The emergency closure allows road access to continue for valley residents and farmers property owners and leaseholders engaged in agriculture or animal husbandry contractors and others responding to an emergency The order doesn’t say how long the road will be closed but a Department of Public Works spokeswoman said it could last up to three years The total cost of the project isn’t known yet but the county has the funds Engineers will develop a mitigation plan over the next four to six months and develop cost estimates for corrective measures a retired horticulturist who lives in Pepeekeo north of Hilo said news of the road closure left him surprised and dismayed He’s concerned about the loss of access to one of the island’s most stunning locations Waipio is one of the few places left in the Hamakua District where the public can legally access the ocean Johnston is equally baffled by why the mayor’s office would take such drastic action based on the findings of a newly released geotechnical report the county commissioned to evaluate the Waipio Valley Road’s natural hazards found the road is prone to landslides because of steep terrain and unstable soils At least three rockfalls happen every year on the road that require some level of county response Rocks tend to cascade to the road when powerful storms slam the region The report found the chance of a pedestrian getting killed by a rock was about 1 in 18,000 The estimated loss of life for someone in a vehicle is calculated at 1 in 170,000 should warrant closing such an important road to the public “It doesn’t make any sense,” said Johnston adding he thinks the risk analysis warrants scrutiny Many Hawaii trails feature similar hazards a state land board member and former Hawaii County planning director and deputy corporation counsel also questioned the findings in the report on which the mayor’s decision was based Speaking as a private citizen and not in any official capacity Yuen said he emailed county officials to explain why he firmly believes that the rockfall risk assessment drastically over-estimated the risk you would expect 2.8 pedestrians killed per year by rockfalls “That cannot be right,” he said “The mere fact that no one has heard of a pedestrian being killed demonstrates that.” Waimea resident Ariel Clark questioned the mayor’s decision as well “My risk of dying of heart disease is one in seven,” said Clark That doesn’t mean she’s going to sit around and wait for a heart attack Clark said she wonders if the county is using the geotechnical report as an excuse to close the road permanently because of pressure from Waipio Valley users who want to see fewer pedestrians and vehicles on the road “This has been boiling for years,” Clark said “The road closure seems to be a quick and easy fix.” After the mayor announced the road closure, the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau expressed its full support The bureau has not promoted tourism in the Waipio Valley for more than a decade because of concerns about the impacts on what is a “sacred and culturally significant place,” said Ross Birch A Hawaii island destination management plan identifies Waipio Valley as a “hot spot,” or place attractive to visitors but one that’s associated with overcrowding safety hazards and other negative experiences The bureau is letting visitors and the tourism industry know about the road closure “both here on-island and across the globe,” Birch said Kanae-Kane said the road closure has nothing to do with tourism impacts at Waipio Valley The geotechnical report found that current conditions present a risk of injury or loss of life that exceeds established thresholds Traveling on the road is a serious safety risk that needs to be  addressed The road closure is not permanent but it “offers a time for the aina to mend — as well as the road,” he said The county will hold a virtual public meeting about the road project from 5:30 to 7 p.m Opponents say closing the road would prevent people from using public lands Hawaii County is considering restricting public access to a popular scenic destination many consider culturally sacred The goal of Bill 217 is to protect Waipio Valley and mitigate safety hazards by closing the single-lane road from the lookout area to the valley floor to pedestrians according to former Hawaii County Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter who sponsored the bill before being termed out The pressure of up to 400 cars and 200 pedestrians a day on the crumbling roadway is too much for the historic blocking the only pedestrian access into Waipio which sits on the lush northeastern end of Hawaii Island They say blocking the road would keep people from using public land essentially turning it over to private landowners who live in the valley honestly,” said island resident and Waipio visitor Ed Johnston Johnston pointed to the relatively few accidents reported on the roadway The last vehicular fatality was about 18 years ago The benefits of access far outweigh any perceived safety risks including a mile-long beach at the valley’s floor the state’s Muliwai trail and its campground and the mauka-makai King’s Trail hikers who drive down instead won’t have anywhere to park “It seems like they’re oblivious” to the public benefit said that the pressure on the valley and the road has been an issue for decades Poindexter sees restricting access to foot traffic as only the first step She and other council supporters are looking at blocking vehicle traffic as well but that will take longer because of the various agencies and jurisdictions that would have to sign off on it It’s a little more complex,” Poindexter said at a recent virtual forum on the issue The Waipio Valley is home to taro farmers and the site where King Kamehameha was hidden from warring clans as a newborn Other possibilities would include restricting vehicle permits or enhancing the rim and lookout area so that visitors could spend time there instead of traversing to the valley A final comprehensive plan could include components of the various ideas Among those who oppose the closure is Jackson Bauer Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program coordinator in the Division of Forestry and Wildlife for the Department of Land and Natural Resources “This bill would severely limit the public’s right to access public lands,” Jackson wrote in public testimony to the council “This would include county-protected shoreline access to state shoreline and waters forest reserves and both historic and recreational trials.” who replaced Poindexter in the Hamakua District this month said she wasn’t aware the issue had been moving forward until it came to a council subcommittee recently and made the local news as far as timing and my term go,” she said But Kimball hosted the Facebook Live meeting which brought together a dozen or so stakeholders including Poindexter and nearby landowners Bishop Museum and Kamehameha Schools She’s still collecting testimony before the council hears the bill Wednesday “I don’t want to put into place legislation that doesn’t solve the problem.” the Department of Public Works is performing a technical study of the road’s integrity Those results won’t be available until January The ban on pedestrians would not apply in emergencies lessees and residents of the valley would be exempt as would Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners exercising their traditional and customary rights Taro farmer and valley resident Jim Cain supports the proposal He said the volume of rental cars and hikers on the road makes travel nearly impossible for farmers trying to transport their goods The dangerous situation is only getting worse the more Waipio Valley is promoted to the outside world worry that closing access to Waipio would just put pressure on other nearby tourist destinations as well as the possible unintended consequence of increased motor traffic on the road after foot traffic is banned “I absolutely acknowledge something must be done.” Hawaii — The Board of Water Supply found low levels of “forever chemicals” in the Waipio Heights Wells Pumping Station which serves the Waipio Crestview area between Lumikula Street to Lumi Street, officials said Samples taken by the BWS in February showed various perfluoroalkyl substances also known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” because they can take hundreds of years to naturally degrade a University of Hawaii at Manoa Office of Public Health Studies associate professor The human-made chemicals have been in use for more than 60 years and are commonly used in non-stick cookware The chemicals are known to cause health problems and have been linked to cancer In the Waipio Heights Wells Pumping Station the samples tested for perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) These chemicals were found at levels of 1.7 to 3 nanograms per liter.  Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed limits to “forever chemicals” in drinking water a long-awaited protection the agency said would save thousands of lives The EPA’s threshold was set at 4 nanograms per liter for the chemicals PFOA and PFOS.   “Based on existing Hawaii Department of Health environmental action levels and drinking water standards for PFOS proposed by the U.S the levels at Waipio Heights Wells pose no significant health concerns,” the BWS said in a news release.  The BWS found the chemicals as part of its PFAS testing program.  Samples taken by the Navy from soil near the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, where 1,100 gallons of aqueous film forming foam were spilled on Nov. 29, 2022, contained PFAS over DOH's environmental action levels.  Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInHONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The city’s Department of Parks and Recreation announced that all facilities at the Waipio Soccer Complex will be closed for continued maintenance and renovation efforts and officials said the goal is to increase the quality of the fields to tournament-level specifications leveling uneven surfaces and other repairs The city said the rejuvenation work is expected to be finished this summer — just in time for several popular soccer tournaments that are scheduled to begin in late June “Up until this point we tried to accommodate field usage but even the moderate usage of the fields was undermining the rejuvenation efforts This lead to the decision to completely close the complex for about eight weeks,” explained Nathan Serota a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation Officials said the decision to completely close the fields was made in collaboration with local soccer leagues and other field permittees The city said it is working with these groups to find alternative locations to accommodate their needs during the closure Those local to Hawaii may seem relatively relaxed But nothing gets in the way of their R&R time on the beach Earlier this year, Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth released an emergency order to shut down the road winding down to the Waipi'o Valley to all pedestrians and cars. The road only stayed open to residents, farmers, and property owners in the area, because of unsafe conditions. But while Waipi'o Valley has been closed nature has started gotten the chance to heal Locals are enjoying the results of less foot and car traffic in the area — not only have fish returned to the once barren coastlines and not as much litter is being left behind While tourism is a huge part of the economy it's done wonders for the natural surroundings “You can feel it,” Mahealani Maiku‘i, a supporter of the road closure, told Big Island Now Others aren't as happy — groups like MaKa are protesting the closure maintaining that water and beaches should be accessible to everyone “The assertions and actions by the Protect Waipiʻo Valley Group, which denies Native Hawaiian and Hawaiʻi Island residents access to the ocean, is concerning and a violation of constitutional rights,” Nancy Giaccone Roberson posted on Facebook, on behalf of MaKa “Ocean access is vital to the health of our communities and is a protected right.” The road to Waipi'o Valley was closed over seven months ago, because it was a safety hazard. According to Hawaii News Now, rockfall and erosion posed a serious risk to those walking and driving on it which is what ultimately led to Roth's decision to shut it down A geotechnical assessment on the road had been done previously and it recommended the mitigation of rockfall "The Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau (IHVB) fully supports the County of Hawaii's decision to close Waipio Valley Road to visitors until further notice," Ross Birch, Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau executive director, stated in a press release after its closure "Understanding the community's concerns about tourism's impacts on this sacred and culturally significant place we have not promoted traversing into the Valley for more than a decade now," his statement reads "This road closure supports and accelerates our destination management efforts to address tourism issues surrounding Waipio Valley which was deemed a hotspot by the community as outlined in Hawaii Island's Destination Management Action Plan," he continued Even though this is clearly what's best for both potential visitors and nature alike a number of people aren't too keen on the road's closure Standing for #WaipioValley and respecting the kānaka who live there & have kuleana feels so complicated I will listen&respect what they are saying but I would be lying if I didn’t feel a little kaumaha too The closure of the road to Waipi'o Valley is so controversial because even though it's ultimately what's best for the people and nature Groups like Mālama I Ke Kai ʻO Waipiʻo (MaKa) have filed lawsuits to reopen the road to longtime swimmers The organization even planned a peaceful protest to get the word out The dispute is based on what's considered public land — the Department of Land and Natural Resources lists the road and the Muliwai Trail hiking trail public lands So in the fight to re-open the road and while making it structurally sound everyone can peacefully return to the beach Looking to Volunteer? Try These Ocean and Beach Cleanup Organizations How Does Ocean Pollution Impact Human Beings? So It's Too Late to Clean up the Ocean, Scientists Say — What Happens Now? Link to XLink to InstagramContact us by EmailOpt-out of personalized ads People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website Offers may be subject to change without notice has provoked emotional divisions among diverse groups of people who use the valley A decision by the Big Island mayor to abruptly close road access to Waipio Valley for most people is causing major heartburn for various sectors of the public Roth based the closure on what he said was an “imminent threat” to public safety from rockfall and unstable slopes, a characterization critics say is grossly overstated and flawed, but the county stands by it and they have a right to say what they want to say,” said Sherise Kanae-Kane information and education specialist with the Department of Public Works The road closure has provoked emotional divisions among groups of people who use the valley is one of the Big Island’s biggest tourist draws and it’s revered as a place of cultural and historical importance Waipio was once the home of Hawaiian rulers The road is extremely narrow and steep, with hairpin turns, precipitous drops and few places to pull over. Many have recognized for a long time that traveling the road can be dangerous if drivers are inexperienced or unfamiliar with the terrain the county has posted a couple of security guards at Waipio Lookout where the road begins property owners and leaseholders engaged in animal husbandry or agriculture and government employees and contractors to access the road bicycle or any other mode of transportation into the valley “It’s been a little random who gets to go down,” said Joe Gaglione has visited the valley regularly since he was a child and learned to surf at age 12 especially since he’s heard reports of tourists being allowed in or others staying at vacation homes on the valley floor Others are sneaking in when the guards are not on duty Others are reportedly getting in by saying they are doing handyman work on homes in the valley “I have also witnessed rule-bending and favoritism at the top. So, it’s like an elitist club who gets to go down,” Valerie Goo said in a Facebook post critical of the road closure Gaglione is among ocean users featured on a new website aimed at gathering public support to pressure Roth to open the road at least partially while repairs and solutions are underway The website is the public face of Malama I Ke Kai O Waipio a community group that formed since the closure Its mission is to ensure ocean access to residents to “perpetuate traditional forms of wave riding gathering and other shoreline activities that sustain a thriving Waipio Valley.” we want a seat at the table.” — Sally Lundburg Many of those advocating for reopening the road say they recognize there have been longstanding conflicts in Waipio Valley fueled by growing numbers of visitors who travel the road in four-wheel-drive rental vehicles The vehicles have presented safety concerns because those descending the road must yield to those coming up by pulling over at designated spots and waiting one at a time Locals who regularly drive the road know how to navigate it while visitors often don’t it may be their first time driving an off-road vehicle When they must stop to let another car go by they sometimes panic if they have to yield or put the vehicle in reverse whose commercial tour business has been shut down due to the emergency closure “I’ve had to jump in their car and help people out,” Matsuo said “But if I’m driving a tour van there’s no way I can leave the van unattended.” said he’s often seen small children walking down the road without their parents paying attention Waipio Valley is named as a hot spot in Hawaii island’s destination management plan a place where relief from the pressures of tourism is warranted Some critics of the road closure say they want to seek solutions that will benefit Hawaii island residents “I know the valley has been under enormous pressure,” said Sally Lundburg board secretary for Malama I Ke Kai O Waipio Lundburg teaches art at Hawaii Preparatory Academy filmmaker and farmer of fruit and taro on her family’s homestead in Paauilo Mauka on the Hamakua Coast special ed teacher at Honokaa public schools Swimming in the Deep (U`ilani) from Sally Lundburg on Vimeo The films shows Macabio riding the waves off Waipio Valley she talks about how surfing is something she does to relieve stress “and feel the ocean within.” It feels like I’ve been holding my breath for so long and all of a sudden are suffering emotional stress and mental health effects from being cut off from a place they consider sacred and culturally significant “Our kids really need this,” said Lundburg Whether the county will take those concerns to heart remains to be seen Roth told Civil Beat that he’s had several meetings with community members to hear what they have to say “We’re trying to listen to their input,” he said the road is expected to be closed for three years as repairs are made to stabilize the rocks and soil along the road which a geotechnical report The report did not say the road should be closed “We’re trying to see if the work can be done in phases that allow us to open” it Hilo attorney Steve Strauss is preparing a lawsuit on behalf of ocean users who feel the mayor blundered in his handling of the road closure Some of the claims will be for arbitrary and capricious decision-making violating equal protection and the public trust One of the experts Strauss expects to hear from is a retired road inspector who oversaw road maintenance on the Big Island for 35 years The retired inspector will declare that he never saw or heard of anyone being injured or killed by rocks or slides on the Waipio road in more than three decades on the job A separate lawsuit was filed in late March by attorney Ron Kim on behalf of several tourism operators who have lost business since the road closure took effect The businesses include horseback and shuttle tours that used to take visitors into the valley Kim said Monday that he withdrew the lawsuit after some of the clients got cold feet said some clients have decided to go with a different attorney Roth said he hadn’t seen any lawsuit and couldn’t discuss any pending litigation anyway Rockfall mitigation work along Waipio Valley Rd begins on May 22 and will continue for approximately six weeks according to a news release by Hawaii Countyʻs Public Works Engineering Division The mitigation work poses potential hazards in the area therefore crews will close the road daily from 8:30 a.m traffic will not be able to access the road The initial phase of the project will focus on Waipio Valley Rd from the entrance of Waipio Valley Lookout to approximately 750 feet down the slope County officials say the closure is necessary to ensure a safe work environment for construction crews Sarah Yamanaka covers events environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.