10-31-2007, 05:10 AM
I agree with Bob that there are two problems and both must be addressed. There is an immediate problem with the tour bus unloading people on the pond (and then, the people unloading around the pond). And there is a long range problem with the cesspools that surround the pond.
You certainly can't blame a guy for trying to make a buck, but the pond simply cannot sustain a busload of visitors. It's nothing personal, but one tour operator's gain is the public's loss.
On one visit to the pond, there was a surprising large group of people floating above, and a very large group of turtles swimming below. I was observing some turtles from about 50 feet away, when a woman cried out, "There's another one! He's right next to you, behind a rock!". She loudly thrashed her way over toward me, and toward the turtle I hadn't seen, underwater camera in hand. She got within just a couple of feet from him before he went sailing off. I reflected on how much things had changed, just in the short space of time that I have been coming to Puna.
Sadly, all of these hotponds are becoming burdened. Staph and bacteria everywhere. Some real health issues.
I say roll the rocks back until we have a plan. In the meantime, we can access the pond by walking from the gate. Or give the pond a rest.
As for the cesspools, I like the idea of them being phased out on sale of the property. In HPP, no cesspools are permitted makai of Fifth Street....more than half a mile away from the ocean. And you cannot swim in the ocean off of HPP (at least not for long). Why the difference?
The residents are understandably miffed by the busloads of people who love nature so much they could just squeeze it to death. Some people simply do not have a reverence for the pond. They scream, they thrash, they yell, they leave fetid calling cards.
But the properties near the pond also contribute foul stuff in a slower and more insidious way.
I suppose an omnibus solution would be to permit only Europeans to visit the pond. Europeans don't trash their own natural treasures (or those of others). But an Yves and Marie only rule is unlikely to pass legal muster.
In the meantime, 1) Ask the tour company politely to cease and desist (I'm not going to wait for you: Tour company -- cease and desist!, 2) Block the road, and 3) Contact our representative-creatures about zoning away the cesspools.
Our, perhaps Pele has something else in mind.
You certainly can't blame a guy for trying to make a buck, but the pond simply cannot sustain a busload of visitors. It's nothing personal, but one tour operator's gain is the public's loss.
On one visit to the pond, there was a surprising large group of people floating above, and a very large group of turtles swimming below. I was observing some turtles from about 50 feet away, when a woman cried out, "There's another one! He's right next to you, behind a rock!". She loudly thrashed her way over toward me, and toward the turtle I hadn't seen, underwater camera in hand. She got within just a couple of feet from him before he went sailing off. I reflected on how much things had changed, just in the short space of time that I have been coming to Puna.
Sadly, all of these hotponds are becoming burdened. Staph and bacteria everywhere. Some real health issues.
I say roll the rocks back until we have a plan. In the meantime, we can access the pond by walking from the gate. Or give the pond a rest.
As for the cesspools, I like the idea of them being phased out on sale of the property. In HPP, no cesspools are permitted makai of Fifth Street....more than half a mile away from the ocean. And you cannot swim in the ocean off of HPP (at least not for long). Why the difference?
The residents are understandably miffed by the busloads of people who love nature so much they could just squeeze it to death. Some people simply do not have a reverence for the pond. They scream, they thrash, they yell, they leave fetid calling cards.
But the properties near the pond also contribute foul stuff in a slower and more insidious way.
I suppose an omnibus solution would be to permit only Europeans to visit the pond. Europeans don't trash their own natural treasures (or those of others). But an Yves and Marie only rule is unlikely to pass legal muster.
In the meantime, 1) Ask the tour company politely to cease and desist (I'm not going to wait for you: Tour company -- cease and desist!, 2) Block the road, and 3) Contact our representative-creatures about zoning away the cesspools.
Our, perhaps Pele has something else in mind.