Another Iconic Beach Threatened | Will Hawaii Take Action?

What does Hawaii do when precious natural, cultural and historic resources are being decimated?

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35 thoughts on “Another Iconic Beach Threatened | Will Hawaii Take Action?”

  1. The beach is actually on Hawaii, not Kauai. It’s a little far for the residents of Kauai, as mentioned. We walked it in May and found it a beautiful place!

  2. Where’s HTA and their vision for proper management of our natural resources ? Where are all the “Protect the Mauna” folk ? It seems as if the criteria for malāma – whether by the gov’t or the communities – don’t include protection, but only increased access, and the shift of control. What a shame…

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  3. As a long-term resident of Hawaii, with extrnsive project experiense with most of our Hawaii county agencies, the answer to your lead wuestion is ‘NO’!

    Our county regulatory agencies are totally disfunctional, and even if a remediation program was put in place, it wouldn’t be enforced. Our police won’t go to South Point for anything short of a murder.

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  4. I love the green sand beach and have both walked there and taken the (unknowingly) illegal 4-wheel drive with locals. Over the years it has certainly become more crowded. I am curious why this issue is suddenly getting so much press. I even read about this very issue in a local San Francisco weekly, where a lady who owns a VRBO on a three-acre property nearby is quoted as ruefully wishing for the area to be marketed for rich ecotourism. I hope there is no hidden agenda with this coverage.

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    1. I think it’s because there has been a drastic decline in the beach within the last year. I noticed it in just the 13 months between visits. The locals have recently really amped up the illegal shuttles since Covid.

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    2. The more Accessible it becomes the Worse the area will become, despite knowing this it’s an opportunity to make money for transporting Tourists and undoubtedly others have their own personal endeavors to launch or at least that’s the way it sounds. Hawaii could always Protect the Area by Erecting Fencing but without Enforcement that wouldn’t stop the problem for very long. I find it interesting that Locals blame Tourists for every type of Problem when it’s Locals covering up for Locals in All too Many Cases. Maybe Hawaii should deport some Locals!

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  5. Years ago on our firs visit to the big island, we hiked to green sand beach. honestly as I recall, there was absolutely no one on the trails, no vehicles, nothing. It was beautiful.
    4 years ago we moved here and have been to the beach twice. The 4WD trucks have rutted the area so bad that the walk it terrible. It’s no longer peaceful. those that ride in the back of a truck to get there dont get it and they dont appreciate the experience of getting there. The locals have absolutely no regard for the aina. It so sad

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  6. We hiked to the beach in 2018. By the time we got there we were covered in dust. The locals that were giving rides and tourists with their rented jeeps were non stop. Why would anyone jump into a back of a truck and trust someone to drive you there without any kind of business license with insurance??? You don’t know if the truck is being properly maintained, have insurance or the driver is actually licensed…
    🤦🏼‍♀️

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    1. Some people are just happy to not walk the distance, Some may not be able to walk that far due to infirmity or disability and have no choice. I’m not saying that it is the right thing in any way. Why not “license” a company to shuttle those in need, have food and refreshments to make it a profitable concern. Limit the amount of people to a certain number per hour or half? It takes the problem down several notches and gives the locals something else to Lay Blame on Tourism. Hawaii makes things more difficult than they need to be!

  7. We hiked there a couple years ago, hot and windy. Unique but once is enough. Obvious local trucks taking tourist for rides. I am from Oregon and we have bathrooms and parking at numerous locations on our beaches while Hawaii has very few. Where does the money go? People will just go to the bathroom in the bush. Not just at South Point. Everywhere. 2 step has portable bathrooms that always need pumping a couple day ago. Thanks to BH for the news.

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  8. Done this hike a half a dozen times. If you have water it is very easy and so awesome as the bright green sand is plentiful before the actual beach. Unfortunately, and mentioned above I think most tourists don’t realize that they are encouraging illegal behavior. Bare minimum the state should instal some hard to remove signs with fines applied to both riders and drivers alike.

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    1. That would be great, unfortunately for the Beaches ⛱️ it’s not doable. Hawaii is almost Entirely Reliant on Tourism and despite politicians saying otherwise, they know that “The More The Merrier” to keep the money piling up. Vegas Needs Tourism and Gambling, Possibly that’s the Next Evolution of Hawaii and then they’ll want even more! Hawaii Needs Diversification in Businesses that could help reduce the extreme want of Tourism over time, a Real Business Incubator would be a Start.

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