Question: The grass and bushes along the road around Waimea Bay and Sharks Cove block some of the best views in the world. By my best recollection, it’s been about two years since the last cut. I see tourists standing on the rock walls and going beyond the railings to get their pictures, becoming a safety issue. What can we do to get this taken care of? Also, what are the regulations of cutting, trimming and planting in parks and roadways? In other words, can I start cutting these bushes on my own? Do I have to get permission? Your paper showed a group, which does a public awareness at Sharks Cove, planting to stop erosion. Is that OK?
Answer: The city says it’s because of safety concerns that the grassy area overlooking Waimea Bay is not maintained.
The hillside is overgrown by design, although the Department of Parks and Recreation says it is trying to get the overgrowth at Sharks Cove under control, with the community’s help.
The Parks Department does not cut the grass and bushes around Waimea Bay because it is not meant to be a scenic lookout area, said Michele Nekota, who became the department’s director April 1.
"No trespassing" signs are posted to keep people out of the area because of loose rocks and a steep cliff.
The area of Waimea Bay with "the dangerous cliff and loose rock" is allowed to grow wild to further discourage people from going there, Nekota said.
She said the grass was illegally cut a couple of years ago, on the day before the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Surf Contest.
"The grass cutting was not a permitted activity, is illegal and is strongly discouraged," she said. "No one, individuals or organized groups, is allowed to do any form of maintenance work in city parks without first obtaining permission" from the Parks Department.
The Sharks Cove area, part of Pupukea Beach Park, is a different matter.
On March 29, Nekota said, the Parks Department worked with New Hope Chapel to trim the overgrowth at Sharks Cove as a community service project.
There is more work to be done, and the department is working to coordinate a follow-up community service project in the area, she said.
She also said the Malama Pupukea-Waimea organization is at Sharks Cove every Saturday to provide information to the public about the Marine Life Conservation District.
The group is discussing erosion and landscaping concerns with parks officials, but it is not authorized to do any plantings at this time, Nekota said.
The department welcomes volunteer groups to help maintain its parks. Those interested are asked to call Clinton Jamile, the Adopt-a-Park program coordinator, at 768-3034.
DOT Jurisdiction
We first contacted the state Department of Transportation about the two overgrown areas, because Kamehameha Highway is part of its Highways Division.
However, DOT spokeswoman Caroline Sluyter said both areas are outside the department’s jurisdiction.
"There’s actually very little vegetation along the highway itself on this stretch," she said.
Federal and state policies prohibit volunteer landscaping by individuals or groups on state highways because of legal liabilities.
"While we do appreciate the public’s support, we ask that they report overgrowth locations on Oahu’s state roadways to our Highways Division at 831-6714," Sluyter said.
Auwe and Mahalo
Auwe to the contractor who placed sandbags against a plywood wall at the International Market Place, causing me to trip and fall. Mahalo to the many pedestrians who stopped to help, making sure I was OK and providing tissues to clean my bloody nose and lip. Mahalo also to the young man who offered to call an ambulance and the woman who caught up with me as I walked away from the scene and gave me a packaged face wipe. What wonderful thoughtfulness and kindness for a visitor. — Sally McDonald, Canada
Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
