Citations issued, motorcycles seized for alleged illegal riding on Haleakala
State conservation officers impounded 10 motorcycles and issued 46 citations to 10 people for alleged illegal dirt biking in Kula Forest Reserve on the slopes of Haleakala on Sunday.
The dirt bikers allegedly accessed the forest reserve by trespassing through private property.
The nine adults and one juvenile who were cited face multiple charges including prohibited motorized vehicle operation in a non-designated area; prohibited operation of non-four-wheel-drive vehicle; and several counts of vehicle and transportation prohibitions for unlicensed, untaxed and no plates.
Acting DOCARE Enforcement Chief Jason Redulla said in a news release, “Our Maui officers have been receiving on-going complaints from hikers, hunters, and mountain bikers about illegal motorcycle riding on trails designated for foot or mountain bike traffic only. Hikers report having to jump off the trail due to a motorcyclist operating illegally. Areas of cultural significance are being damaged and natural resources are being negatively impacted.”
The Kula Forest Service on Haleakala contains designated hunting areas, numerous recreational hiking and mountain bike trails, as well as Polipoli State Park.
“Some social media postings are painting DOCARE’s actions in a negative light and the dirt bikers as victims. Our officers are sworn to uphold the laws, rules and regulations, designed to protect public safety and the natural and cultural resources of Hawaii. To suggest, their actions, based on public complaints, is somehow wrong, is quite simply, not accurate,” Redulla said.
17 responses to “Citations issued, motorcycles seized for alleged illegal riding on Haleakala”
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Good. Throw the book at them!
More importantly never return their motorcycles, sell them to buyers on the mainland and ship them out of Hawaii.
Hey they broke the law period!!
Good job DOCARE.
Don’t really need to return the bikes. Just strip them for parts and redeem the engine block and frame for metal recycling. Need to send a strong message again and again.
Thank you DOCARE.
Must be graduates of the Wot Boddah U college; stink eye, big body, etc.
The environment has got to be protected for future generations. My generation did! This generation is doing a good job, keep enforcing the law and seize their equipment!
Confiscate the bikes and fine the riders. Make ’em pay for disrespecting the ‘aina.
Uhhh…I think they did exactly that.
“Some social media postings are painting DOCARE’s actions in a negative light and the dirt bikers as victims.” Same whiny entitlement nonsense that pervades social media.
Besides taking their bikes and fining them, have them do community service by doing restoring work on their days off for a month.
Good Job DOCARE!!!
No respect for the land, no respect for people. I bet these guys also ride through their neighborhoods up and down the streets until someone calls the cops.
Non Designated area….come on motor bikers…do your riding in the right areas…cheeze
Their on a bike, full throttle baby!! Get outta there, cops will never catch you!
Run hikers off the trail & get into fugitive mode — great advice.