Ask Mayor Roth amend the Emergency Proc. to allow Island Residents ocean access in Waipi'o
Ask Mayor Roth amend the Emergency Proc. to allow Island Residents ocean access in Waipi'o
The Issue
Waipi'o Valley access has been cut off under Mayor Mitch Roth's Emergency Proclamation. Sadly, access is being allowed for some while being denied for others. The Mayor's office is justifying this "closure for some" based on a flawed Geotechnical report. This closure is valid for three years and limits certain groups’ access.
We as ocean users are asking that this discriminatory precedent be amended to include our constitutionally protected rights to ocean access (HRS 115-4, 115-5). We strongly believe the health and wellbeing of our community needs this access.
Some County employees, County Council members, and community members are calling for the study metrics to be explained to show if there is even a safety justification to have a road closure. According to the County’s own study, it is far more likely to be killed during common vehicular use than it is to be killed by rockfall on Waipiʻo road.
We all agree that for years Waipi'o has been over visited, over used, and under cared for. We believe this is an opportunity to move forward to address the long term goal of providing access with cultural and environmental integrity. However, eliminating access to the ocean during the process does nothing but divide the community, and sever intergenerational connections to Waipiʻo.
We also believe the Mayor's choice to provide access to land owners and farmers over fishers, surfers, cultural practitioners, and others is very divisive and sets a dangerous precedent moving forward. We want to respect and honor the living traditions of kalo farming as well as the practices of gathering, wave riding, fishing, and water access.
There are enough places in Hawaii where ocean access is denied to local families, while wealthy landowners enjoy unlimited use.
Let's not add Waipi'o to the list.
Please help us by signing our petition and please join our community volunteer group, Mālama i ke Kai ʻo Waipi'o
Any donations made on this site only go to change.org
We are now accepting donations to fund litigation expenses, operational costs, and coastal stewardship in Waipiʻo Valley once access is restored.
Mahalo for your kokua!!!
2,432
The Issue
Waipi'o Valley access has been cut off under Mayor Mitch Roth's Emergency Proclamation. Sadly, access is being allowed for some while being denied for others. The Mayor's office is justifying this "closure for some" based on a flawed Geotechnical report. This closure is valid for three years and limits certain groups’ access.
We as ocean users are asking that this discriminatory precedent be amended to include our constitutionally protected rights to ocean access (HRS 115-4, 115-5). We strongly believe the health and wellbeing of our community needs this access.
Some County employees, County Council members, and community members are calling for the study metrics to be explained to show if there is even a safety justification to have a road closure. According to the County’s own study, it is far more likely to be killed during common vehicular use than it is to be killed by rockfall on Waipiʻo road.
We all agree that for years Waipi'o has been over visited, over used, and under cared for. We believe this is an opportunity to move forward to address the long term goal of providing access with cultural and environmental integrity. However, eliminating access to the ocean during the process does nothing but divide the community, and sever intergenerational connections to Waipiʻo.
We also believe the Mayor's choice to provide access to land owners and farmers over fishers, surfers, cultural practitioners, and others is very divisive and sets a dangerous precedent moving forward. We want to respect and honor the living traditions of kalo farming as well as the practices of gathering, wave riding, fishing, and water access.
There are enough places in Hawaii where ocean access is denied to local families, while wealthy landowners enjoy unlimited use.
Let's not add Waipi'o to the list.
Please help us by signing our petition and please join our community volunteer group, Mālama i ke Kai ʻo Waipi'o
Any donations made on this site only go to change.org
We are now accepting donations to fund litigation expenses, operational costs, and coastal stewardship in Waipiʻo Valley once access is restored.
Mahalo for your kokua!!!
2,432
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Petition created on March 27, 2022