WAIMEA TRAIL UPDATE, AUGUST 2005

The Waimea Trail continues to surmount hurdles and is alive and well. Last week’s hurdle was an emergency meeting with representatives of the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); the Carter Professional Center; Canada France Telescope and the Waimea Outdoor Circle. Clem Lam, Chairman of the Trail Committee, requested the emergency meeting to discuss the route of the trail along the property line between the Carter Professional Center and the WOC’s Nature Park. The Nature Park is located on land leased from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) while Waikoloa Stream, which forms part of the boundary, falls under the jurisdiction of the NRCS. So it was fortunate that representatives of NCRS were able to attend the meeting held at the site on short notice.

The focus of the meeting was to deal with an offer from Carter Professional Center to remove some large eucalyptus trees which were in the way of the proposed trail. Richard Waller, Park Planner for WOC, implored the group to carefully study the situation and avoid any hasty and destructive action. Mr. Waller said that eucalyptus trees have a “bad reputation” due to a lack of understanding. He stated that, “if pruned effectively, these magnificent living trees could and should remain as they are among the last stands of such trees in central Waimea and that they provide important service as windbreaks, protection for newly planted Hawaiian trees and a habitat for local birds.” He cautioned that the extensive root systems of the trees were pivotal to the maintenance of the stream banks. If the trees were removed the stream bank would surely collapse and erosion would destroy the protective berm between the stream and the parking lots for both the Carter buildings and the buildings at Canada France.

Carol Hendricks, WOC Chair for the Nature Park, reminded the fifteen people assembled that the Nature Park is named Ulu La’au for historical reasons citing that name being recorded on a 1914 map of the area. Ulu La‘au means “the place where trees grow” and Mrs. Hendricks spoke of the need to preserve these trees.

After considerable discussion and a tour of the site, several proposals were offered: (1) Carolyn Wong, of NRCS, suggested that it might be possible to reinforce the stream side in critical places with large rocks. This reinforced surface could then become the foundation for the trail. (2) Mr. Lam said that his committee would consider a narrower pathway through this critical area. (3) Carter Center representative, Tim Poole, stated that he would recommend working with all parties to achieve an amicable solution and Derrick Salmon, representing Canada France, concurred that his organization would be willing to help in achieving a viable solution. (4) Victor Obrastoff, President of WOC, reiterated WOC’s support for the Waimea Trail and offered to work with Mr. Lam to have the trail on the Nature Park’s boundary.

Ms. Wong suggested that the interested parties might be able to agree upon a “letter of understanding” regarding this area. If so, she suggested that her department would be willing to assist in attaining the necessary permits to complete the project.  Since that meeting was held, several steps have been taken in preparation for such a document: Kaz Shigezawa of Landscape Images, Inc., has provided Mr. Lam with preliminary engineering drawings showing how the stream bank could be reinforced and Mr. Lam has contacted all parties concerned and suggested that we work together to “make the Waimea Trail happen!”