07-13-2009, 05:47 AM
The Shipmans and their corporate personnel have had a difficult relationship with HPP in the past couple of years. The four wheel drive road referenced by Obie did not go all the way to Haena before it was blocked. It only went about a third of the way, at best, and was mainly used for shoreline access in the area immediately adjacent to HPP. When the Shipmans blocked it, they sent a corporate representative to an HPP meeting to explain that trash and rowdy behavior forced that action. Not only was there something of a hu-hu over the blockage, but someone correctly pointed out that the large stones were on HPP owned property. Oops! Big embarrassment. They had to send someone out to move them right away. The fact was, however, that there was a lot of trash being dumped and left in that area. The question left in the minds of many was, "Is this really about the trash and rowdy behavior, or about limiting access." I honestly don't know for sure, but I got the impression they would close the trail entirely if they could. That is strictly my interpretation, and they never said that was their intent.
I have acquired a somewhat skeptical opinion about the Shipmans' motives since I attended a meeting on amending the Puna CDP. At that meeting a gentleman got up and made a case for some policy changes and amendments that would have proven quite benificial to the Shipmans. What the guy quite disengenuously failed to mention was the fact that he was a high level employee of the Shipman family. Just a small oversight.
I have acquired a somewhat skeptical opinion about the Shipmans' motives since I attended a meeting on amending the Puna CDP. At that meeting a gentleman got up and made a case for some policy changes and amendments that would have proven quite benificial to the Shipmans. What the guy quite disengenuously failed to mention was the fact that he was a high level employee of the Shipman family. Just a small oversight.