Hiking trail woes a signal to DLNR

Maunawili Falls Trail is a "victim of its own popularity," said Suzi Dominy, one of the homeowners who lives near the trail head in Kailua. She’s right — the foot traffic at the nature attraction has worn down, littered and generally overburdened the area.

But the other victims here are the neighbors themselves. Some hikers park on the street and leave only a light footprint to mark their visit. But others are thoughtless, disturbing neighbors with noise and intrusions on private property. Residents clearly have to share the public streets, but nobody signs up for the kind of harassment they encounter at Maunawili.

The conflict shines a light on the needs of this one community and, more broadly, on the state’s failure to deal responsibly with the upkeep of recreational areas, including its web of hiking trails.

The problem is particularly acute at Maunawili, where there are several reasons for its popularity. It’s a short hiking trail accessible to all skill levels, and it ends in a natural pool and falls that tourists and kamaaina alike can enjoy.

It is not unique in this respect — Kailua state Sen. Laura Thielen notes that the Lanikai "pillbox" trail similarly draws visitors to neighborhoods — but many other trails are more insulated from residential zones, starting from points more removed from suburbia.

A permanent solution is essential for such high-impact trails, including a parking lot that separates the foot traffic from the homes. State Rep. Ken Ito has rightly secured $200,000 in planning funds for a lot with restrooms to serve the Maunawili trail head.

But there are complications, not the least of which is siting the lot, Thielen said: Negotiating with property owners who might be able to sell an adequate parcel to the state is a long-term proposition, and it’s one that should come with a maintenance plan as well.

In the meantime, residents need some relief, so the state Department of Land and Natural Resources should increase its over- sight of trails such as Maunawili Falls, exploring various strategies to limit the impact on neighbors.

For example, this may be a place where coordination with city officials is needed to restrict parking to limited hours of trail access; exception permits could be issued to residents. Signs outlining the restrictions should be prominently posted and rigorously enforced.

Other steps, including providing and maintaining a limited number of portable restrooms on the trail itself, should be considered.

Beyond the specifics of this location, the Maunawili Falls problem is symptomatic of how the state manages parks: It develops them but puts far too little thought into what happens after opening day.

When Thielen headed DLNR during the administration of Gov. Linda Lingle, the agency proposed a $240 million improvement plan, financed primarily with user fees, but it failed at the Legislature.

Since then there have been capital improvement project allotments for specific projects, but state leaders really need to take a hard look on its overall investment in maintenance. Trails are especially underfunded. According to a 2010 report, the forest-recreation budget has been cut over the years to half what it was 20 years ago. Just over $350,000 is set aside for Oahu’s 40 trails and seven dirt roads, according to current DLNR figures.

At a time when the Internet has raised the profile of formerly "secret" spots, it’s unrealistic to give their maintenance and supervision such a low priority. And as many Maunawili residents would surely testify, it’s unfair to private property owners, as well.