David Y. Ige

One Arrested, 70 Cited, and Tons of Trash Airlifted Out

(HONOLULU) – Combined law enforcement and clean-up operations at the world-renowned Kalalau Beach in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kauai over the past month, have resulted in dozens of citations, an arrest, and the airlifting of tons of accumulated rubbish from the area.

On Thursday, Jan. 4, 2016, Francis “Alekai” Kinimaka of Hanalei was arrested by DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE) officers after he landed a jet-ski on Kalalau Beach, a closed area, without a permit.  He was cited with a total of four petty misdemeanors.  The jet-ski he was operating was taken into evidence. “We want people to know that we have a zero tolerance attitude toward any type of unlawful activities along the Napali Coast,” said Francis “Bully” Mission, DOCARE Kauai Branch Chief.  Kinimaka’s passenger was also cited for not having a permit to be in the area.

During four separate enforcement visits in January and February, DOCARE officers issued nearly 70 citations to hikers and backpackers who did not have state-issued camping permits.  These permits allow a maximum of 60 people to camp in designated areas fronting Kalalau Beach for five days at a time. Suzanne Case, DLNR Chair said, “The Kalalau region is remote, and that’s precisely what makes it a world-class destination for backpackers.  This remoteness gives it its wilderness character.  My administration is committed to restoring the entire Napali Coast to the kind of condition all of Hawaii can be proud of. The Napali Coast is perhaps the most photographed area in all of Hawaii. It is heavily used and this is the reason we have laws that balance visitation with protection of natural and cultural resources along the coast and within the Napali’s stunning valleys.”

Maintenance crews from the DLNR Division of State Parks fly into Kalalau at least once a month to maintain overtaxed composting toilets, to perform trail maintenance and to fly out tons and tons of trash. DLNR State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell explained, “It is clear that most of the rubbish being flown out of Kalalau was not carried in on someone’s back.  Plastic lawn chairs, gallon glass bottles of alcohol, huge pop-up tents, full-sized air mattresses, and other non-backpacking materials have been found in unpermitted camps in some of the most prime designated camping spots along Kalalau Beach. All Hawaii state taxpayers are helping cover the costs of supporting these cleanups and it is not fair to them or to the many legal campers who get permits and practice a wilderness “pack-it-in, pack-it-out, ethos.”
During this week’s clean-up operation, a dozen unpermitted camps and abandoned property were removed.  These camps were posted with “notices to vacate” several weeks ago.  Items taken from the camps will be stored for 30 days and unless rightful owners reclaim their items, they will be discarded.

The largest camp dismantled this week is believed to be Kinimaka’s base camp. Campers report men coming through the designated campground early each day asking if anyone wants a ride out. One camper told DLNR that she accepted the offer and paid $125 for a jet-ski lift, because she was tired after the 11-mile one way hike into the valley.  The first two miles of the Kalalau trail are open to anyone to hike; beyond that requires a state permit.

DOCARE Chief Thomas Friel stated, “We are serious about shutting down the illegal commercial activity which is despoiling the landscape, impacting sensitive cultural sites, and often creating a very unpleasant experience for legal campers.  We’re putting the illegal operators on notice right now, that if you continue, you will be caught, cited, and could face criminal penalties.”

# # #

RESOURCES:

HD Video of clean-up and law enforcement operations:
https://vimeo.com/154378939
(Shot sheet attached)

Photographs of clean-up and law enforcement operations:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4j87lkq60t0cz6z/AADlhp_wF6RzdjDRnEZhuW1Ja?dl=0

Media Contact:
Dan Dennison
Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
Senior Communications Manager
Office of the Chairperson-Communications Office
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 131
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-0407
[email protected]