This is by me, I sent it to the media and to the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board, and area government officials (while still looking for a writing/editing job, I thought I'd throw a little political activism into my day. drumming fingers, drumming fingers).
Koko Crater Trail closed to fitness enthusiasts today
HAWAII KAI (Feb. 15, 2008)--This morning, signs were erected declaring the trail to the summit of Koko Crater off limits, ostensibly because of danger from the firing range a quarter-mile away.
Hundreds of people regularly walk this particular trail. If one counts visitors, it's thousands. To our knowledge, there is no record of anyone getting shot, grazed or ricocheted at while exercising along the trail or while sightseeing. On the rare occasions when the fire helicopter has to pluck someone off the trail, it tends to be over-exertion at issue.
Some exercise enthusiasts have been climbing this trail for more than four decades, since before Koko Head District Park was established. Some go daily as part of their exercise routine. Some go for the spectacular views that span Oahu's Windward Coast to Diamond Head, and even to the Neighbor Islands when the skies are especially clear.
The closure of the trail was done without community input.
If hikers to the Koko Head summit truly are in danger from the firing range, then so are the nearby residential neighborhoods. The population in Hawaii Kai is growing, which means our government leaders should seriously consider shutting down the firing range. Healthy outdoor exercise and an unparalleled view, or potentially deadly firearms? Hmmm, which is more compatible with a residential area?
On the other hand, if the firing range, contained within a crater, does not in fact pose a real danger to Koko Crater hikers or the surrounding neighborhoods, then maybe what needs to go is whomever cynically sought to use the issue to shut down a popular outdoor recreation area.
The situation brings to mind the debacle of the Haiku "Stairway to Heaven" and its restoration and subsequent official closure, widely flouted. But where there are legitimate issues of parking and access in that situation, such issues do not exist at the Koko Crater trail, which is adjacent to Koko Head District Park.
The reaction on the part of Koko Crater regulars is outrage. Fridays are a busy day at the trail, where many of the climbers try to go up and down in as short a time as possible. Throughout the day, there will no doubt be people willing to provide their reaction to this unfair and unilateral decision. Many want to know WHO made this decision. Many hope this ill-advised move will be rethought.
Koko Crater Trail closed to fitness enthusiasts today
HAWAII KAI (Feb. 15, 2008)--This morning, signs were erected declaring the trail to the summit of Koko Crater off limits, ostensibly because of danger from the firing range a quarter-mile away.
Hundreds of people regularly walk this particular trail. If one counts visitors, it's thousands. To our knowledge, there is no record of anyone getting shot, grazed or ricocheted at while exercising along the trail or while sightseeing. On the rare occasions when the fire helicopter has to pluck someone off the trail, it tends to be over-exertion at issue.
Some exercise enthusiasts have been climbing this trail for more than four decades, since before Koko Head District Park was established. Some go daily as part of their exercise routine. Some go for the spectacular views that span Oahu's Windward Coast to Diamond Head, and even to the Neighbor Islands when the skies are especially clear.
The closure of the trail was done without community input.
If hikers to the Koko Head summit truly are in danger from the firing range, then so are the nearby residential neighborhoods. The population in Hawaii Kai is growing, which means our government leaders should seriously consider shutting down the firing range. Healthy outdoor exercise and an unparalleled view, or potentially deadly firearms? Hmmm, which is more compatible with a residential area?
On the other hand, if the firing range, contained within a crater, does not in fact pose a real danger to Koko Crater hikers or the surrounding neighborhoods, then maybe what needs to go is whomever cynically sought to use the issue to shut down a popular outdoor recreation area.
The situation brings to mind the debacle of the Haiku "Stairway to Heaven" and its restoration and subsequent official closure, widely flouted. But where there are legitimate issues of parking and access in that situation, such issues do not exist at the Koko Crater trail, which is adjacent to Koko Head District Park.
The reaction on the part of Koko Crater regulars is outrage. Fridays are a busy day at the trail, where many of the climbers try to go up and down in as short a time as possible. Throughout the day, there will no doubt be people willing to provide their reaction to this unfair and unilateral decision. Many want to know WHO made this decision. Many hope this ill-advised move will be rethought.
Comment