Funicular could be the solution
As I see it, the answer to the Waipio Valley access problem by pedestrians is to put in a funicular. Pedestrians would be designated to ride the funicular as the means to go down into the valley and back up. There would have to be a nominal fee to pay for the original construction and later maintenance. Most people, even the locals, would probably be happy to pay a small fee to avoid the tiring and dangerous walk up or down. And with a funicular, one could take a limited amount of gear and children as well. Place trash cans at both ends.
This is not new science. Funiculi are used all over the world for just such remote hard-to-get to places. They work. People love them. Of course, the same idea holds true, or even more so, for Pololu Valley.
As for the problem of parking along the entrance road into Pololu, surely the county or state has a nearby field that could be used and a shuttle then provide a ride to the trail head for hikers going down into the valley.
Even a private land owner nearby might be approached to lease land for a parking (with attendant to help avoid car break-ins). I realize that a parking lot is not as aesthetically pleasing as a grass field, but neither is a long row of cars along the road. Just trying to find an answer here.
The problem is that residents do not want to face the fact that change has happened over the last 20 years or so and government has not kept up to alleviate that change.
Waipio and Pololu valleys are natural masterpieces of nature. People want to experience them while they are here. It is up to government to make that happen easily and safely. Doing nothing or “doing a study” does not cut it.
Tom Beach
Waimea
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