35 thoughts on “Another Iconic Beach Threatened | Will Hawaii Take Action?”
Dave S.
South Point is a great place, and the furthermost southern point in the USA so it makes it unique to visit. I have hiked into the green sands beach several times & I have driven in at least 3 times with a 4WD Jeep. We always respected the land and packed out what we brought in and enjoyed swimming at the beach. Even when we drove in, we followed existing ruts to not further damage the landscape. The last time we drove in, we drove by the locals hawking rides and got a lot of stink-eye because we were not using their “service”; although their vehicles did not look safe. Now reading the report you attached, I feel bad for driving in. I guess future trips there will be to hike in. We want to respect these lands and the Hawaiian people.
I first hiked to the beach during the pandemic.We had a difficult time trying to find the start of the trailhead. There were only 1 or2 illegal shuttles then. When I went back only a year later the landscape had changed alot.There was parking lot, a tent set up to que customers, snacks and drinks for sale and even port a potties.On our hike to the beach the ruts in the landscape were huge.Drivers were taking 10-20 tourists at a time standing in the backs of pickups with fencing around the sides,like cattle. The beach had also changed alot.The face of the cliff to climb down was so worn away.There wasn’t as much sand on the beach either.It doesn’t help that tour guides suggest this illegal activity to their groups.I speak up but given the
Aloha, living on Kauai and showing tourists around I could mention too many places, Parks, where the state has not kept up on things. Wailua falls and it’s inadequate, dead end parking lot is a good example. Maybe some of the advertising budget could go to infrastructure? I wonder where the people protesting the telescope think of this situation on their island?
Those Protesting, or at least the Organizers, have a Vested Interest in the Protests, Media Coverage and public sentiment. It’s called Negotiations under adverse pressure and conditions which tend to bring about a More Equitable Solution! Money, Money, money….Money! The only thing that may not be a negotiable item Now is the New Placement, that can be approved later, possibly.
Put a road into the green sand beach. Hiking is onky viable for those in excelent heath, ad its 2.5 miles as the crow flys, humans its well over an hr of up and down tarrain.
Then there would no longer be a green sand beach. With the number of illegal tourists alone the beach has deteriorated…it would be so much worse if there were a road
Excellent health to Walk 2.5 miles? I guess the world envisioned in WALL-E is here…
If you’re unable to walk 2.5 miles (or are too old or have an actual handicap), then don’t go. It’s that simple.
Are we also entitled to a pressurized gondola to the Everest summit?
With the comments that You have left I can definitely make the case for Equal and Equitable Handicap Access to the Green Beach. The ADA can be a good thing. Imagine a Paved, or Concrete, extra wide pathway to the Beach, a Paved or Concrete Parking Area with Handicap Parking Spots, all sorts of Handicap ♿️ Accessible Accommodations just because it has to be. Then expand it to Every Beach creating pathways in the Sand to the Waters Edge! Not appealing to You, Others, but it might be to Me!
I whole heartily agree about equal access where it makes sense but does creating a concrete path to the water edge (wherever that is due to tidal fluctuations) really make sense? Would this be on Every beach or only where there is legal parking. And what of the big of winter and summer?
A lot of things to consider here.
We went to the green beach in April when we were there with the researched plan to hike – plenty of water, sunscreen, etc. We were appalled by the number of locals who solicited rides at the parking lot but who also pulled alongside us on the trail creating a cloud of dust (all the paths are rutted into dust from all the vehicle traffic) to still/again offer rides for $20 when we were clearly among the few who actually chose to walk. IMO – this respect for the beach has to start with native Hawaiians! The hike in both directions was more dangerous than challenging due to dodging vehicles emerging from the multiple crisscrossing paths.
1. We can’t reflexively just blame the tourists on this one. It’s the locals that are promoting the off road rides and tours. It’s the locals that aren’t showing respect for he Aina. Next time you’re on Oahu go down to the Kailua marsh and drive down the perimeter road. A dumping ground for garbage, car parts, tires, old furniture, you name it. It’s the locals, not the tourists.
2. It’s all about money. Or lack therof. Pay cops to enforce the law. Or build a nice paved road to the beach with a parking lot at the end and charge a fee to use it. But there’s no budget to do any of these things. No political willpower.
I’m not necessarily the biggest fan of the Haena Park plan on Kauai but it does seem to have the desired effect. It reduces traffic and numbers. Might be something to look at here as well.
Shut down 4 wheeler access to these endangered sites. Arrest those responsible for destroying natural treasures. Don’t whitewash over the destruction caused by locals. Polihale should never have been reopened to 4 wheelers!
Guilty. The first time we went to Papakolea Beach, about 12 years ago, we hiked out and there was almost nobody there. Over the next few years we took a pickup shuttle, got brave and took a rental, and have hiked again (earlier this year). The numbers of people there have grown exponentially. Same with the numbers of shuttles (and their price). The place is magical and merits some serious intervention to protect it. I’d be glad to walk it every visit in the future.
So the state of Hawaii is gouging everyone with extra taxes and fees on things and yet they have no funding to take care of their precious historical sites… Hmmm… Where all that money going? It’s sad that this is happening. And it is obviously not just a tourist fault. My guess is many have no idea this is illegal. Sure hope things get “fixed”…..
Seems like the majority of the issue are being caused by the locals this time. Eliminate the illegal driving / rides and a lot of the problem goes away.
South Point is a great place, and the furthermost southern point in the USA so it makes it unique to visit. I have hiked into the green sands beach several times & I have driven in at least 3 times with a 4WD Jeep. We always respected the land and packed out what we brought in and enjoyed swimming at the beach. Even when we drove in, we followed existing ruts to not further damage the landscape. The last time we drove in, we drove by the locals hawking rides and got a lot of stink-eye because we were not using their “service”; although their vehicles did not look safe. Now reading the report you attached, I feel bad for driving in. I guess future trips there will be to hike in. We want to respect these lands and the Hawaiian people.
Yes Dave…many people don’t know that it is illegal to drive to the beach. There isn’t any signage…or if there were, it was ripped down by the locals.
I first hiked to the beach during the pandemic.We had a difficult time trying to find the start of the trailhead. There were only 1 or2 illegal shuttles then. When I went back only a year later the landscape had changed alot.There was parking lot, a tent set up to que customers, snacks and drinks for sale and even port a potties.On our hike to the beach the ruts in the landscape were huge.Drivers were taking 10-20 tourists at a time standing in the backs of pickups with fencing around the sides,like cattle. The beach had also changed alot.The face of the cliff to climb down was so worn away.There wasn’t as much sand on the beach either.It doesn’t help that tour guides suggest this illegal activity to their groups.I speak up but given the
Aloha, living on Kauai and showing tourists around I could mention too many places, Parks, where the state has not kept up on things. Wailua falls and it’s inadequate, dead end parking lot is a good example. Maybe some of the advertising budget could go to infrastructure? I wonder where the people protesting the telescope think of this situation on their island?
Those Protesting, or at least the Organizers, have a Vested Interest in the Protests, Media Coverage and public sentiment. It’s called Negotiations under adverse pressure and conditions which tend to bring about a More Equitable Solution! Money, Money, money….Money! The only thing that may not be a negotiable item Now is the New Placement, that can be approved later, possibly.
Put a road into the green sand beach. Hiking is onky viable for those in excelent heath, ad its 2.5 miles as the crow flys, humans its well over an hr of up and down tarrain.
Then there would no longer be a green sand beach. With the number of illegal tourists alone the beach has deteriorated…it would be so much worse if there were a road
Excellent health to Walk 2.5 miles? I guess the world envisioned in WALL-E is here…
If you’re unable to walk 2.5 miles (or are too old or have an actual handicap), then don’t go. It’s that simple.
Are we also entitled to a pressurized gondola to the Everest summit?
With the comments that You have left I can definitely make the case for Equal and Equitable Handicap Access to the Green Beach. The ADA can be a good thing. Imagine a Paved, or Concrete, extra wide pathway to the Beach, a Paved or Concrete Parking Area with Handicap Parking Spots, all sorts of Handicap ♿️ Accessible Accommodations just because it has to be. Then expand it to Every Beach creating pathways in the Sand to the Waters Edge! Not appealing to You, Others, but it might be to Me!
I whole heartily agree about equal access where it makes sense but does creating a concrete path to the water edge (wherever that is due to tidal fluctuations) really make sense? Would this be on Every beach or only where there is legal parking. And what of the big of winter and summer?
A lot of things to consider here.
We went to the green beach in April when we were there with the researched plan to hike – plenty of water, sunscreen, etc. We were appalled by the number of locals who solicited rides at the parking lot but who also pulled alongside us on the trail creating a cloud of dust (all the paths are rutted into dust from all the vehicle traffic) to still/again offer rides for $20 when we were clearly among the few who actually chose to walk. IMO – this respect for the beach has to start with native Hawaiians! The hike in both directions was more dangerous than challenging due to dodging vehicles emerging from the multiple crisscrossing paths.
1. We can’t reflexively just blame the tourists on this one. It’s the locals that are promoting the off road rides and tours. It’s the locals that aren’t showing respect for he Aina. Next time you’re on Oahu go down to the Kailua marsh and drive down the perimeter road. A dumping ground for garbage, car parts, tires, old furniture, you name it. It’s the locals, not the tourists.
2. It’s all about money. Or lack therof. Pay cops to enforce the law. Or build a nice paved road to the beach with a parking lot at the end and charge a fee to use it. But there’s no budget to do any of these things. No political willpower.
What a shame.
I’m not necessarily the biggest fan of the Haena Park plan on Kauai but it does seem to have the desired effect. It reduces traffic and numbers. Might be something to look at here as well.
Shut down 4 wheeler access to these endangered sites. Arrest those responsible for destroying natural treasures. Don’t whitewash over the destruction caused by locals. Polihale should never have been reopened to 4 wheelers!
Guilty. The first time we went to Papakolea Beach, about 12 years ago, we hiked out and there was almost nobody there. Over the next few years we took a pickup shuttle, got brave and took a rental, and have hiked again (earlier this year). The numbers of people there have grown exponentially. Same with the numbers of shuttles (and their price). The place is magical and merits some serious intervention to protect it. I’d be glad to walk it every visit in the future.
So the state of Hawaii is gouging everyone with extra taxes and fees on things and yet they have no funding to take care of their precious historical sites… Hmmm… Where all that money going? It’s sad that this is happening. And it is obviously not just a tourist fault. My guess is many have no idea this is illegal. Sure hope things get “fixed”…..
Seems like the majority of the issue are being caused by the locals this time. Eliminate the illegal driving / rides and a lot of the problem goes away.