Volunteers invited to help install signs and mark designated roads at Ka‘ena Point State Park
MOKULE‘IA -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR) Ka'ena Point Stewardship Team is again inviting community volunteers to help delineate authorized roads at Ka'ena Point State Park Reserve, Mokule'ia section, by installing posts and signs and marking the edges of designated roadways. Volunteers should meet at the end of the paved road (Farrington Highway) by 8 a.m. Saturday, February 11. Work will continue to noon.
“This has been an effort with community input and involvement all along the way as we attempt to better manage the natural and cultural resources at Ka'ena Point,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson.
Volunteers should bring their own sunscreen, hat, gloves, water and lunch. Volunteers are also asked to bring additional tools such as two wrenches per person (either crescent, open end, box or socket wrenches) to fit a 1/2-inch nut and bolt, a hammer to help expedite the sign installation process and/or a wheel barrow to help with the road marking process. Volunteer tasks will involve attaching signs to sign posts and sign post to a base post or moving already-displaced rocks from the area to mark the edges of designated roads. Posts, signs and other installation equipment will be provided.
Aila added: “We appreciate the large number of park users who came out last fall to help us identify which roads to designate and to install signs and posts to mark these designated roads. Keeping vehicles on a reduced number of selected roads is a major part of our plan to control vehicle use in sensitive areas and to prevent further resource damage.”
Based on community input and resource protection priorities, a main mauka road, a makai coastal road and a limited number of connecting cross roads and parking areas were selected to be the park’s official system of designated roads and parking areas. A map of these roads can be viewed at www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/kpsa.
Signs marking which roads can be used are being installed as the department’s first step toward better enforcement of State Parks regulations that require drivers to remain on designated roads. Reducing the number of roads used in the park should also curb runoff and erosion aggravated by uncontrolled vehicle use. The signs have been incrementally installed since November as part of an ongoing process.
“Unfortunately, a number of previously installed signs and posts have been stolen,” Aila noted. “If thefts continue, we may have to consider closing the gate and allow vehicle access by permit only.” Removal of the signs and violation of the rules is a petty misdemeanor offense.
The designated road network provides access to the main fishing areas favored by fishers, access to the Natural Area Reserve for hikers; avoids sensitive native vegetation, sand dunes and cultural sites; and will help prevent further erosion damage from off-road vehicles.
For additional information, maps and to view the State Parks Ka‘ena Point management plan, go to www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/kpsa.
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Designated road sign at Kaena Point State Park. Photo by Division of State Park
For more information news media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public information specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320