Driver’s license optional for Wiliwilinui trail access

Question: In March, we drove to the Waialae Iki V Community Association gated community on Laukahi Street and expected polite clearance to proceed on the public access to Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail, a state Na Ala Hele trail. Instead, the gate guard refused entry unless I surrendered my driver’s license for his inspection and recording. I reluctantly did so and he proceeded to photograph/scan the card and take personal information before returning it. He gave me a map before telling me I could proceed to the trail. This action by the guard is clearly in violation of the Grant of Public Access Easement, which is recorded at the state’s Land Court and arrived at through public hearings before the state Land Board, City Council and signed by the mayor. It clearly states, "Such public access (to Wiliwilinui Trail) shall be provided without the signing of a waiver … nor shall users be subject to driver or vehicle credentials checks." Can you help make sure that government does its job to protect the public’s use of public trails?

Answer: You are correct.

The public will be asked, but they are not required to show any kind of identification to gain access to the state’s Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail through the association’s property.

DLNR’s Na Ala Hele trails staff recently spoke with Waialae Iki V management, "who acknowledge that they do ask for an ID, but if someone doesn’t want to give it, they will still let you through," said Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

According to association officials, most hikers do not object, she said. They also said hikers are asked to provide identification so that their names are correctly spelled.

"Security does keep tabs on hikers for their own security reasons, but also for the safety of the hikers," Ward said. "Security has been involved in calling 911 when hikers have failed to come out of the trail before dark. This allows them to provide authorities with the hiker’s ID information."  

Question: I don’t understand why the coconut rhinoceros beetle traps are hanging on trees other than palm trees, since the beetles destroy palm trees. Some of the traps aren’t even near palm trees. Can you please explain why?

Answer: Good question, acknowledged Christopher Kishimoto, of the state Department of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Branch. 

The reason is to keep the destructive beetles away from the trees they thrive on.

"We try as hard as we can to deploy traps away from palm trees, especially coconut trees," Kishimoto said.

Each trap has a pheromone (chemical substance) lure, as well as lights to attract the pest.

"So we wouldn’t want a beetle that is attracted to the pheromone to land on the tree and start attacking it instead of going into the trap," Kishimoto said.

"There have been instances on the mainland and other areas where people have found another palm pest, the red palm weevil, does just that," he said. "Researchers found that palms that had red palm weevil traps on them were more likely to be attacked than palms that had no traps."

As of last week, 2,300 traps had been deployed; 95,284 trees and 284 mulch sites surveyed; about 130 trees cut down; and 1,650 beetles, 1,452 larvae and 25 pupae collected.

Mahalo

To three strangers, who rushed to my aid at Honolulu Airport. I had just returned from a trip and was waiting at baggage claim when I blacked out and fell. Fortunately, I was not injured and was greatly impressed by those who responded so quickly. I regret I did not get their names. — Grateful Old Soldier

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