Question: It seems that almost every day hikers are being rescued (at great expense to taxpayers) after getting lost on trails. Wouldn’t it be more cost-effective to have whatever governmental agency is in charge install better signs? We are frequent hikers and often notice missing or unreadable signs.

Answer: The Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program, part of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, manages 42 trails and roads on Oahu "for safe public use."

This includes installation and "the never-ending task" of replacing a total of 342 signs on more than 100 miles of recreational hiking trails, which "keeps a small staff constantly busy," said DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward.

But these trails are just a fraction of the more than 280 trails and dirt roads on Oahu, including those on private land, and not all are maintained or managed for public safety.

In addition to state trails, those in national or county parks are likely to be maintained and marked for public use. "Na Ala Hele recommends the public not go on unmaintained trails," Ward said.

Na Ala Hele’s "trail specialist" tracks sign inventories and compliance with Act 82 of the 2003 Session Laws of Hawaii, which established a risk assessment working group made up of state and county officials, as well as a sign expert.

As part of the act’s requirements, recommendations were made for signs and devices on improved or unimproved public land warning the public "of the potential risks and hazardous conditions involved while visiting Hawaii’s scenic vistas and natural resources."

But it doesn’t matter how many warning signs there are to "stay on the trail" and "read all signs" if they’re not heeded.

While complaints about the need for better signs "are worthy," many incidents involving lost hikers "seem to involve those who choose to go off established public trails or simply disobey signs," Ward said. "The Na Ala Hele Oahu trail program has significantly increased its sign inventory every year to try mitigate potential hazards or misleading spur trails."

Then there’s vandalism, which "is a very big problem on Oahu," she said.

The labor to install or replace a back-country sign can take a day, time that could be spent clearing a half-mile of overgrown trail, she said.

Another problem is websites that encourage hikers to go on nonsanctioned, nonmaintained trails, including those on private lands, Ward said.

Also, "hikers must be alert and aware of the presence of social trails for pig hunters that veer off the maintained trail and become more narrow or steep," she said. "These should be avoided by hikers."

Hikers are advised to look for trails with Na Ala Hele signs with information about the trail length, features and difficulties.

Reporting Hazards

Hikers can report trail hazards or problems to Na Ala Hele at www.hawaiitrails.org, which also provides information on the program’s trails statewide. Problems also can be reported on the "Oahu Na Ala Hele" page on Facebook.

"DLNR appreciates all reports on safety hazards or rubbish spills, etc. to our district offices," Ward said.

Mahalo

To a special gentleman. At 5:45 a.m. April 16, my husband, Arno, was on his way to Kaimana Beach for his daily cleanup of the grounds fronting the Natatorium when he lost control of his mo-ped in front of the Queen Kapiolani Hotel. A kind gentleman got out of his car to help, moving both my husband and the mo-ped away from oncoming cars. May he be blessed with everything he deserves and more. My husband’s left leg was "medium rare," but he is almost well now. — Mrs. Ban

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