Big Island Considers Banning Pedestrians On Road To Waipio Valley…Opponents say closing the road would prevent people from using public lands.
Hawaii County is considering restricting public access to a popular, scenic destination many consider culturally sacred.
The goal of Bill 217 is to protect Waipio Valley and mitigate safety hazards by closing the single-lane road from the lookout area to the valley floor to pedestrians, according to former Hawaii County Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter, who sponsored the bill before being termed out.
The pressure of up to 400 cars and 200 pedestrians a day on the crumbling roadway is too much for the historic, sensitive area, Poindexter said.
