The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is working with Hawi community members to protect Pololu Valley from overuse.
Hundreds of people a day visit Pololu Valley, despite the area not being suited for such large numbers. In order to manage the visitors, the DLNR’s Department of Forestry and Wildlife will begin holding discussions with community members and other stakeholders to determine how best to control the valley.
“I’m not sure where we’ll end up, but I think that’s kind of the point,” said Tim Richards, the County Council member who represents Hawi.
Richards said he hopes the state and community can take lessons from the case of Waipio Valley, a similarly sensitive site that received excessive traffic until the only road in and out of the valley was closed to nonresidents earlier this year due to potentially hazardous road conditions.
Unlike Waipio Valley, however, Richards said completely shutting out traffic to Pololu Valley is not feasible or desirable. Instead, he suggested possible mechanisms such as requiring visitors to schedule trips to the valley in advance, or daily limits on the number of hikers.
“It’s important that we’re actively going after a solution,” Richards said. “The first one we have may not be perfect. We may need to refine it, but we’re taking steps in the right direction.”
Richards added that the Pololu Trail Steward Program — a joint effort by the local community, the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the DLNR’s Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Program, and environmental nonprofit KUPU — has helped to manage the number of visitors to some extent.
Stewards in the program inform visitors about the valley’s cultural and historical background, but also about the physical challenges of its trails, Richards said. In addition, they help keep vehicle traffic at the valley’s limited parking area moving.
“Of course, now that Waipio Valley’s closed, everyone’s trying to go to Pololu now,” Richards said.
No timeline for the planned community meetings has been announced yet, as DOFAW is currently in the process of selecting a consultant to facilitate community outreach.
“Pololu was never meant to be a visitor attraction,” said DOFAW specialist Jackson Bauer in a statement. “It has no infrastructure and just happens to be at the end of the road and is very scenic. The community-stewardship initiative is already showing evidence of success as more engagement with visitors means they’ll understand and hopefully respect the place in a more meaningful way. This program was and is community-driven, and we’re eager to see what they come up with next.”
Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.