Nā Ala Hele
Hawai’i Island Advisory Council Minutes
Approved: November 16th, 2017
Revised: November 16th, 2017
MEETING DATE: September 14th, 2017
PLACE: Hilo DOFAW Office
Voting Members Present:

Deborah Chang, Riley Smith, Roger “Maha”
Kanealii Jr., Michael Varney, Jeff Yamauchi,
Terrence Noda, David Rietow.

Voting Members Absent Excused:

Dennis Vierra, Kawehi Ryder.

Voting Members Absent Unexcused:

None

Invited Guest:

None

Public:Tony Ferreira, Allan Medford.

Ex-Officio:

Clement Chang & Jackson Bauer of Nā Ala
Hele, Rick Gmirkin of Ala Kahakai NHT.

I.

II.

III.
IV.

Call to Order
A. Meeting called to order by Riley at 6:00 PM
B. Printed material distribution; State PowerPoint presentation.
REVIEW and APPROVE MINUTES OF February 2, 2017
Debbie pointed out a spelling error on page 4, #8, it should be Toni, (not Tony)
Mike and Jeff moved to approve meeting minutes.
Minutes approved with correction.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY: None given.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS/COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Kaulana Manu Native Bird and Plant Sanctuary (use/concerns/etc. Prior toopening)
1. Jackson Bauer reported.
a. Continue to design interpretive signs.
b. Went with crew to clear fallen trees and brush the trail.
c. Still looking for a vendor to perform standing, high-risk treetrimming.
d. Waiting on the county for permit approval.
2. Questions

Division of Forestry and Wildlife • Department of Land and Natural Resources • 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 224 • Honolulu, Hawai‘I 96813

a. Jeff wanted to know if there is ROD? Clem responded that there
is suspected ROD. When the trees are cut they will be handled ashigh risk and samples will be sent out for evaluation.
b. Mike wanted to know what the requirements were for a high-risk
tree trimmer. Both Jackson and Clem shared in the response.
The state has a defined set of requirement for all vendors,
insurance being one of them. There is also a cost thresholdwhere if a proposal comes in at or above the cost threshold, thenmultiple proposals are required (3).
c. Riley wanted to know when this project would start. Jackson
responded that it’s waiting on the county to approve the permitting.
d. Riley pointed out that a delayed project start would probably haveadded costs if the awarded bid is several years old.
B. Update: Statewide Advisory Council Meeting.
1. Terrence attended the meeting with Jackson on July 22nd 2017. The
minutes of the meeting and powerpoint presentation was distributed.
a. The meeting was focused around the RTP program.
b. There was a presentation on the status of funds.
c. We had the opportunity ask questions of Liz Fischer who is theRTP funds administrator for the HDOT. Discussed requirements
and compliance.
2. Jackson commented that it was a really good meeting and that all theCouncil members were actively asking questions.
3. Public attendee Alan Medford gave a brief history on the RTP program.
C. Update: Pololū meetings concerning lookout/trailhead improvements.
1. Debbie – There was an onsite meeting at Pololū on April 12th, 2017. Inattendance some 40 from the community including Clem, Jackson, Steve
Bergfeld, Dave Smith, and Cindy Evans were there.
a. We walked the trail down to the beach so that people could see
the condition of the trail.
b. Lunch was served at one of the houses close to the lookout.
c. The rest of the meeting was held back at the Hisaoka gym.
d. Community concerns expressedi. Overcrowding of the parking area
ii. Signageiii. Lack of toilet facilities
iv. How to make improvements without over enlarging thearea and attracting even more people (conflicting goals).
e. Dave Smith said that DOFAW would look into the engineering
options.
2. Jackson - Since the April meeting Cindy Evans has asked for DLNR
support.
a. In May, Dean Aoki who is the DLNR accessibility coordinator flew
over and we went out to look at the site.
b. August 7th Dave Smith arranged for DLNR engineering to review
the site. Steve Bergfeld came for that too. The first step is thesuggestion is to hire a consultant to draw up a plan. The cost forsuch plan would need to be estimated and submitted forbudget/approval. At a minimum, the site would need one ADA
stall and one ADA portable toilet. The accessible area needs to berelatively “flat”. Currently the flattest section has an 11% grade.
Additionally, the area of land that is owned by DLNR is too small.
c. One positive note that came out of the April 12th meeting was thata representative of Surety Kohala Corp was there and hinted thatthey may be willing to donate some land on the Mauka side of theroad. This location is about 2 acres and 200 yards up the road.
The land is zoned Ag-20. County Parks seems to be the initial
preference to receive the donation of land. It is unclear whether
the Kim administration would accept this land foroperations/maintenance.
3. Mike mentioned other projects he’s worked on that included public/private
cooperation in order to keep costs down.
4. Debbie pointed out that the size of the lot is too small to subdivide under
the current zoning. Riley responded to Debbie that exemptions can be
granted for municipal/public needs (waiver on compliance with underlying
zoning requirements/lot size).
5. Clem added that Steve Bergfeld asked the engineering department tocome up with options of what we could do with existing DLNR land if theSurety offer does not come to fruition.
6. Riley suggested that there be a log that records and organizes all efforts
starting from the April 12th meeting to present and into the future.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to reiterate phone conversations in an email
to avoid miscommunications.
7. Mike asked that if you have the ADA stall and bathrooms at the newparking area, do you need to have them at the lower lookout. Clem
responded that was a question for the engineering department orconsultant. He did not know.
8. Riley added that ADA does not mean access for only wheelchair boundindividuals, but access for all, regardless of disability (sight, hearing, etc.).
D. Na Ala Hele Update by Jackson.
1. Trail maintenance with both East and West DOFAW crew and volunteers.
2. Waimanu Valley & Muliwai Trail May 15th – 19th. Worked with NARS crew.
3. Waimanu Valley & Muliwai Trail September 25th week long and the trail
will be closed to the public during that period.
4. Ainapo Trail & Cabin day trip the week before last. Reflagged and took
new GPS coordinates from the trail head to the cabin, about 2-1/2 miles.
5. Boot brush stations have been installed at every trail but Onomea andDonkey Trail. We are working with the owner, Hawai’i Tropical BotanicalGardens, because they are doing some trail improvements.
6. Pu’u Huluhulu; we are working with DHHL who owns half the land
including the trail head and parking lot. The existing toilet is a pit toilet
that needs to be phased out due to non compliance with DOH
regulations. Also, because we are providing a toilet we need to provide
ADA parking and access. Fortunately, the parking lot is flat so we will
stripe it and provide portable toilets all in accordance with ADA
requirements. That work will start October 23rd – 24th.
a. The plan and layout was shared.
b. Debbie asked if the portable toilets were cheaper than composting
toilets. Clem answered that DHHL was more accepting of the7.

8.

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10.

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portable toilets and since they are rented all maintenance isincluded. Cost of composting toilets start at around $15,000.
c. Terrence expressed some concerns regarding hunter check-in atbird season. Often hunters have trailers and the location of theportable toilets will make it difficult with multiple hunters checking
in. Why not place the toilets elsewhere? Jackson replied thatADA requires no more than 2% grade and the location chosen
meets the requirement. Will double check if there are otheroptions.
d. Riley suggested that Terrence email Jackson with a list of hisconcerns.
Puna Trail is looking good but there has been an increase of people
driving on the old trail to access Paki Point. Working with Shipman Estate
to mitigate the issue. We have also put up new signs.
Pololū Trail, BIISC is doing a new round of surveys on how people areusing the boot brush station. Also experimenting with different signs. The
data they collect will also tell us how many people are using the trail.
Hawai’i Birding Trail web site just went live.
http://Hawai’ibirdingtrails.Hawai’i.gov/. Terrence gave a description ofwhat birders do.
Pu'u wa'awa`a, Clem, Jackson, Moana, and others from DOFAW went out
to see old trails with uncle Micky Kato who is retiring. He first worked on
the ranch and then for DOFAW. We drove around absorbing as much of
his knowledge as possible. Lots of trails but the two we most looked at
was the Kapalaoa-Pikohene trail and the Alanui Ku‘i Trail.
Kuamo’o Battle Field, on October 5th Moana is coming over and we aregoing to look at the section of the Ala Kahakai Trail leading up to thebattle field.
Mauna Kea Access R1, we replaced the large sign that clarifies
information on permits.
Waiakea ATV Park, Terrence is continuing to clear the trails to complete
the ROHVA trail. The trails are for vehicles over 40 inches wide. Once
that is done, Jackson can GPS it and update the web site.
Hokuli’a, Clem went to their resident council meeting. The shoreline park
will be done in two sections. The first being the makai section that
includes the parking lot amenities. It should be open by March of 2018.
a. Rick asked if they ever got SHPD approval for their newpreservation plan or did they follow through with the oldpreservation plan? Clem commented that he did not know answer
in full but that they were working on breaching sections of the trailthat were less sensitive, less historic value. He also commented
that a year ago when they were excavating sections of the trail,
they would dig as much as 6 ft. down to reach the original trail.
b. Debbie asked what trail this was? Clem responded that it was theOld Government Road.
c. Debbie asked if the parking lot is open to the public? Clem
responded that the old access is still being used while the new lot
is being constructed.
d. Riley asked who from Hokuli’a attends these meetings? Clem
responded that Mike Vitousek and Kaleo Kuali’I attend.

15. We have a Tech IV level position open within Na Ala Hele. Interested
applicants can find more information online athttps://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hawaiiHawai’i and search“technician IV”.
16. Na Ala Hele core staff meeting was June 26 2017. It’s held once a yearwith all the staff to go over budgets and goals. Aaron Lowe announced
that he had stepped down as the acting state-wide administrator. A
permanent position has been opened and Moana is filling in as actingadministrator.
17. Outreach Bootha. Ohi`a Love Festival August 27 2017 at the `Imiloa Astronomy
Center. The event focused on ROD.
b. Hawai’i Island Festival of Birds Saturday September 16th atKeauhou.
c. Run for Dryland Forest 11th annual at Pu’u Wa’awa’a SaturdayOctober 28th.
18. Steve has asked for our participation in putting together a paper map of
the Hawai’i Island showing all the trails.
19. CIP Requests, a list of some we put in for the coming year.
a. Pololū parking lot project aforementioned in this meeting.
b. Kaulana Manu Native Bird and Plant Sanctuaryc. Puakea Bay trail. Rick mentioned that the ocean front parcel withhouse is up for auction.
d. Judd Trail for metes and bounds
e. Also for improvements to 13 of our trails.
20. We are looking at collecting trailhead use data at all our trails. Rickmentioned that he had remote use counters he would be happy to share.
21. This fiscal year 2018a. Ainapo Cabin, we will replace the mattresses and do some othercarpentry improvements.
b. Waimanu, we will replace one of the composting toilets. Currently
on order.
22. Fiscal year 2019. Kilohana hunter check station, we are looking atreplacing the pit toilet with portable toilets and adding paved parking. AllADA compliant.
23. Fiscal year 2020.
a. Waimanu, we plan to replace a second composting toilet.
b. Pu’u Huluhulu, we plan to expand the striping in the lot and ramps.
24. Fiscal year 2019 or 2020 Terrence has an idea of running an OHV only
trail from behind Kulani prison to the Mauna Loa access road.
E. Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail Update by Rick Gmirkin
1. 49 Black Sand, we finally got permission from SHPD to proceed with trail
improvements, within the resort which is a known historic trail section.
This was done with Na Ala Hele in about 3 weeks. In October we haveplans for more improvements on more historic sections of the trail.
2. Kohala Hema project. We’ve met with KCRA. We also met with theMauna Kea Beach Resort. They are putting up new signage that includes
the Ala Kahakai logo.
3. Ohai’ula or Spencer Beach Park, we met with the county and will makethis the gateway project to the Ala Kahakai trail.

4. Saturday September 16, we are meeting with the Puako community tohear from them on how they envision the trail going through theircommunity.
5. Completed field work with our contractor and documented the trail
between Hapuna Beach and the Puako boat ramp. They also
documented the Puako to Waimea trail on the Makai side of the highway
and about 1-1/2 mile of the Kaeo trail through the Puako petroglyph field
to where the pahoehoe ends.
F. Informational/Update: Tracking Tool by Debbie. Items in red were talked about
in the last meeting, items in Green are pending.
1. Item 7, Mauna Kea Moo, Clem’s update is that he has the contact nameand will call regarding access to a section of the Hamakua forest reserve.
2. Item 12, Kaupakuea, Pepe’ekeo, Clem‘s update is that Forestry has beenup there working and he will contact David Penn for further progress.
3. Item 14, Clem’s update is when Moana is out next he will set up a
meeting with the KRDC representative. Sometime in October.
4. Item 5, Hokuli’a Trails,
a. Debbie asked if this is a program trail. Clem confirmed that it is,but it is not opened yet.
b. Debbie asked if there was a management plan by NAH for the oldgovernment road from Kuamo’o to Hokuli’a? Clem’s response
was that it meets the criteria but it is not a program trail. There isa land owner that he is trying to get in touch with to see what thepossibilities are.
5. Item 20, Mauna Loa Observatory Road, Debbie asked if this was aprogram trail? Clem responded yes. He also mentioned that bicycles areallowed on the trail. Commercial bicycle activity is not.
6. Item 23, Debbie will change the status from a non-program trail to a
program trail. Mike wanted to know if prior to 2006 if the trail went all theway to Honokāne Iki. Jackson said no, it only goes to the Pololū valleyfloor.
7. Item 27, Pu’u La’au Cabin, Debbie suggested changing the status of thisto inactive since it had not been spoken of in a number of years. Clemsuggested leaving it active for now.
8. Item 29, Rullo in Opihihale, Debbie asked Rick if he had spoken with thePlanning Dept. because Rullo’s current application expires this year.
9. Item 34, Waipi’o Valley, Debbie suggested changing the status of this toinactive since it had not been spoken of in a number of years. Clemsuggested leaving it active and he will check with Tracy Tam Sing.
10. Item 35, Waipunalei, Debbie suggested changing the status of this toinactive since it had not been spoken of in a number of years. Terrence
thought that the agreement was made and access would be granted by
KS. Clem said he would find out. Status will remain active.
11. Item C, Foti Alae Subdivision, Debbie asked for an update? Rickmentioned that Foti is trying to further subdivide the Makai parcel.
G. Council member concerns.
1. Terrence asked Clem about Pu’u Wa’awa’a. Why is it that the hunters
cannot use ATV or UTV but the ranchers can? Clem said to contact him
next week and he will check with Wildlife-DOFAW. It’s not a program trail.

2. David reflected on the presentation we had of ROD and wondered how
the county is preventing the free distribution of mulch from spreading
ROD. Riley suggested contacting the Solid Waste Chief (Greg Goodale).
3. Debbie shared a letter from the state attorney general answering
questions that she asked Cindy Evans who in turn asked them. It has to
do with being cited for criminal trespassing where there are signs stating“no trespassing.” The charge is “criminal trespass in the 2nd degree.”
The law covers both fenced and unfenced government owned agriculturallands. Her question was how does this law affect the public when theyuse either an historic trail or old government road known to be
government owned in an area that is posted “no trespassing?”
H. Next Meeting
1. Thursday November 16th
2. Location Waimea at 6:00PM
I. Motion to adjourn.
1. Terrence and Jeff motioned.
2. Meeting ended at 8:03 PM.
Acronyms:
ADA
BIISC
CIP
DHHL
DLNR
DOFAW

Americans with Disability Act.
Big Island Invasive Species CommitteeCapital Improvement Program
Department of Hawai’ian Home Lands
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Forestry and Wildlife

HDOTKCRAKRDCKS
NAH
NARS
OGR

Department of Transportation (State Hawaii)
Kohala Coast Resort Association
Keauhou Resort Development Corp
Kamehameha Schools
Na Ala HeleNatural Area Reserve System
Old Government Road

ROHVA

Recreational Off Highway Vehicle
Association.
State of Hawai’i Historic Preservation Division
Global Positioning Satellite

SHPDGPSNa Ala Hele
Hawai’i Island Advisory Council

I.

Public Testimony:a.

Those providing testimony at our meetings are guests of our Council. They arenot Council members. They are invited to provide testimony. However, they do
not have the right to question us, participate in our meeting, nor dialogue as wediscuss our agenda.

b.
c.
d.
e.

f.

II.

Shall be limited to 3 minutes, for each person.
Written copies of testimony should be provided and included in the Minutes ofmeeting.
Oral testimony must be provided in person.
Testimony for a person that is not present can be turned into the Secretary forinclusion within the Minutes. It cannot be read at the meetings, as we will nothave the opportunity to question the author. Electronic submittal of testimony
will be allowed if provided to DOFAW 12 calendar days prior to meeting date.
Otherwise, hard copies may be distributed at meeting.
If testimony is being provided on behalf of an organization, it is required thatthe Board of Directors of the organization or a majority of the members of theorganization must have voted in favor of the testimony. If this has notoccurred, then it must be considered as solely the opinion of the person
providing the testimony.

Agendized presentations to the Council:a.
b.

r5/22/13

Time allowed for presentations is 10 minutes.
It is likely that the Council will ask questions after the presentation is made.
This Q&A period may continue for 10 – 15 minutes, at the discretion of the Chairof the Council.