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From:
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1767&year=2018
Title: Waipio Valley; Mauna Kea; Roadway; Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles; Rental Motor Vehicles; Tour Operators
Description: Prohibits access to Mauna Kea Science Reserve and Waipio valley, except through the use of a low-gear four-wheel drive vehicle. Requires tours of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve and Waipio valley to obtain a certification for Hawaii's professional tour guides. Authorizes the counties and UH to appointment individuals to enforce the restrictions.
Introducer(s): Mark Nakashima (D) Hamakua
Full text of bill:
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session20...B1767_.HTM
And is scheduled for a hearing on Friday, 2/2 at 10:30am...
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Introducing this bill now really muddies the issues. They should have waited until next session.
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They can't let you do anything for free in this county. They will have to monetize it somehow.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
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can't let you do anything for free
At risk of "whining" ... have noticed a recurring pattern wherein State finds something that isn't regulated and inserts themselves, creating new requirements for paperwork and fees.
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quote:
Originally posted by kalakoa
Introducing this bill now really muddies the issues. They should have waited until next session.
Care to elaborate? I'd appreciate your insights. I personally wonder if it's a Trojan Horse. Slip this in and expand it once they have the infrastructure, ie people controlling access, in place.
The weird thing is coupling it with Waipio Valley, where there already is a cap on tourist operations, only four companies are allowed, and there already is an overseeing presence monitoring access during daylight hours. In the valley it's the Hawaiians who want to limit access. Some of them have been trying to get the county to put a gate across the pali road for a long time now.
The other thing that is weird is I doubt Mark Nakashima is the driving force behind this. He's just a front, but for what?
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The have a few winners on the list this year. Like the one that would require business to shelter people if there’s a nuke attack.
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http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018...kea-tours/
State's sudden interest in regulating/enforcing Mauna Kea
while the TMT is pending before the State Supreme Court ... I don't think it's a coincidence.
I also wonder about enforcement. Will they inspect your vehicle to determine whether it has the requisite "low-gear four-wheel-drive"? Better question: are the "protectors" considered "cultural practitioners", or will they have to book their passage to the summit through a licensed tour operator?
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I believe this is all about public safety. As a firefighter, I've responded to many motor vehicle accidents on Mauna Kea over the years, including some that were fatal. 4x4 low gears control your speed while driving down steep grades so you hardly have to use your brakes. Without the low gears, you risk overheating your brakes and losing them all together. There are many people who ignore the road signs above the visitor center that say you need 4x4, so I think it's time they made it mandatory. I'm not sure, but I think the Mauna Kea Rangers work for UH. This would probably give them authorization to enforce the law.
Aloha!
Aloha!
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hilodiver - excellent points regarding Mauna Kea. There have been several accidents in recent years due to brake failure on the way down. The dirt road above Hale Pohaku is supposed to be 4WD-only but has never been enforced. There has been some stricter enforcement recently, but unlike national park rangers, the MK rangers still have no enforcement powers. Incidentally, they are employed by the Office of Mauna Kea Management, which is a body set up by UH. In any case, ensuring a vehicle is 4WD is not simple, and then it doesn't mean people will actually use 4WD even if their vehicle has it.
As for Kalakoa's point about cultural practitioners, I don't see the relevance as there's nothing in the bill about that. If passed in its current form, they would have to use a 4WD vehicle like everyone else.
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Latest news here:
http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2018...-maunakea/
"
The bill, which is up for a floor vote in the House after clearing three committees, is being welcomed by the University of Hawaii and its agencies that oversee Maunakea.
On the mountain, the law would apply to the unpaved road above Hale Pohaku."
I still have no idea how this will be enforced though.
