American hikers in the Alps are familiar with a series of man-made routes and trails that open access to miles of magnificent country and stunning scenery that would otherwise be inaccessible to all but mountain climbers.

Called Via Ferrata in Italy and Klettersteigen in Switzerland, they consist of ladders, embedded steel cables and other aids that make the undoable doable. Some follow or improve upon trails originally built by the armies of the First World War, adding a historic aspect to the experience. They are visited by thousands of hikers and climbers every year.

Hawaii is the only place to my knowledge in the United States that has its own Via Ferrata. To consider tearing it down because the Board of Water Supply doesn’t want to manage it is ridiculous. There are other state agencies that are a better fit; the Department of Land and Natural Resources is one.

Let’s not arbitrarily destroy this world-class resource because no one is willing to stand up.

Richard McMahon

Kahuku

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