
4/13/23 Rescue Fees
Season 2023 Episode 10 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Every year, dozens of people are rescued from hiking trails.
Beautiful hiking trails are among the many attractions Hawaiʻi has to offer. Every year, dozens of people are rescued from these trails for varying reasons. A bill making its way through the Legislature would require government entities to seek reimbursement for some or all of the cost of the rescue. EPISODE 2332
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Insights on PBS Hawaiʻi is a local public television program presented by PBS Hawai'i

4/13/23 Rescue Fees
Season 2023 Episode 10 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Beautiful hiking trails are among the many attractions Hawaiʻi has to offer. Every year, dozens of people are rescued from these trails for varying reasons. A bill making its way through the Legislature would require government entities to seek reimbursement for some or all of the cost of the rescue. EPISODE 2332
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipSOME LAWMAKERS AN FIRST RESPONDER SAYING IT'S TIME TO CONSIDER CHARGING THOSE WHO IGNORE WARNING SIGNS AND GO ILLEGAL HIKES FOR RESCUE SERVICE.
>> CHARGE FOR EXPENSIVE RESCUE OPERATIONS CLOSED TO PAST NOT RECEIVED NECESSARY SUPPORT.
YEAR THAT THE STATE DECIDES THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND FINES HIKERS IN NEED OF RESCUE?
JOIN THE DISCUSSION NEXT ON INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.
¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.
I’M YUNJI DE NIES.
WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE HEADLINES ABOUT HIKERS AND OTHERS BEING RESCUED BY HELICOPTERS AND AIRLIFTED TO SAFETY.
MANY OF THESE RESCUES ARE A RESULT OF VISITORS AND RESIDENTS ENGAGING IN ILLEGAL AND RECKLESS BEHAVIOR.
THE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE RISKY AND EXPENSIVE.
SENATE BILL 786 IS LOOKING TO MITIGATE SOME OF THE BURDEN ON FIRST RESPONDERS.
LAWMAKERS ARE PROPOSING THAT THOSE WHO VIOLATE RULES AND DISREGARD WARNING SIGNS BE CHARGED A FEE FOR RESCUE SERVICES.
SIMILAR PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN HEARD IN THE PAST BUT HAVE NOT GAINED NECESSARY SUPPORT TO BECOME LAW.
IN WRITTEN TESTIMONY SUBMITTED TO THE STATE, SENATE MAJOR SHELLIE PAIVA OF HPD WROTE: “IN ADDITION, IT MAY DETER OR DELAY PROMPT NOTIFICATION OF FIRST RESPONDER AGENCIES BY PERSONS WHO MAY NEED TO BE RESCUED.
SUCH A DELAY IN A REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE COULD MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE AND FURTHER ENDANGER THE LIVES OF THOSE PERSONS AS WELL AS FIRST RESPONDERS.” THE STATE FIRE COUNCIL, MADE UP OF THE FOUR COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS AND ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, ALSO PROVIDED WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN OPPOSITION TO THE BILL FOR THE SAME REASONS.
HAVE ATTITUDES AT THE CAPITOL CHANGED ENOUGH FOR NEW LAWS TO BE PASSED?
WILL THIS BE THE YEAR THAT LAWS TO PENALIZE ROGUE HIKERS AND ERRANT THRILL SEEKERS PASS?
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.
YOU CAN EMAIL US OR CALL US WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.
WE ALSO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE CONVERSATION ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.
DAVID TARNAS IS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR DISTRICT 8 ON HAWAII ISLAND.
HE IS THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.
BEFORE BEING ELECTED TO OFFICE HE SERVED AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN HAWAII COUNTY.
AARON LOWE HAS SERVED 27 YEARS AS THE TRAIL AND ACCESS SPECIALIST FOR THE ISLAND OF OAHU FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE.
HE SUPERVISED THE DESIGN AND CONTENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE NA ALA HELE PROGRAM WEBSITE WHICH HIGHLIGHT’S OUR STATE’S HIKING TRAILS.
JOHN BRAUM IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HAWAII TRAIL AND MOUNTAIN CORPORATION.
HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER FOR 14 YEARS.
THE HTMC WAS FOUNDED IN 1910 AS A HIKING AND SOCIAL CLUB.
TODAY IT OPERATES AS A CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL NON‑PROFIT AND HELPS WITH TRAIL MAINTENANCE AROUND THE ISLANDS.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HERE TONIGHT.
WE LOVE HAVING YOU IN PERSON AND FORWARD TO YOUR PERSPECTIVE.
REPRESENTATIVE I WANT TO START WITH YOU.
TELL US ABOUT WHAT KINDS OF FEES THESE VISITORS OR RESIDENTS WHO TRESPASS AND NEED RESCUE COULD BE FACING UNDER THIS LAW.
>> THIS LAW IS UNIQUE, RIGHT NOW SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS UNDER STATE LAW, THEY COULD CHARGE SOMEBODY IF THEY CHOOSE TO.
BUT HAWAII FIRE DEPARTMENT CHOOSE IS NOT TO BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO DETER SOMEONE FROM CALLING 911 IF THEY'RE IN TROUBLE.
AS YOU HEARD.
THEY DON'T WANT ANYONE TO DELAY THE CALL BECAUSE THIS COULD MAKE MATTERS WORSE.
COULD GET INTO FURTHER TROUBLE.
RESCUE COULD BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.
SO WHAT THAT BILL DOES, ACTUALLY REQUIRES THE AGENCY TO CHARGE SOMEBODY FOR RESCUE IF THEY'RE TRESPASSING ON A CLOSED TRAIL.
AND THAT'S DIFFERENT FROM MAY CHARGE SOMEBODY.
THIS REQUIRES THEM.
AS I WAS CHAIRING THE JUDICIARY HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS SORT OF LEGISLATION FROM A STATE AGENCY.
AND FROM THE HAWAII FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.
SO I THOUGHT, WOW, SOMETHING IS DIFFERENT HERE.
I WAS IN OFFICE IN THE 1990s.
AND WHEN WE HEARD BILLS LIKE THIS, EVERYBODY WAS OPPOSED TO IT.
NOW, WE ACTUALLY HAVE A STATE AGENCY SAYING, IT'S TIME WE TALK ABOUT THIS.
AND WE HAVE HAWAII FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION WHICH IS UNION REPRESENTING FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS, THEY'RE SAYING WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
IT'S OLD SCHOOL THINKING TO THINK THAT PEOPLE WOULD NOT CALL 911.
THEY'LL CALL.
>>Yunji: HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
NOT ABLE TO ANSWER THAT.
BECAUSE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HASN'T REALLY SAT DOWN AND COUNT UP ALL THE COSTS IT WOULD TAKE TO RESCUE SOMEBODY.
THAT'S PART OF WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO GOING TO OF THIS DISCUSSION.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
TO MOBILIZE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, TO CALL OUT THE HELICOPTER, TO GET SOMEBODY TO GO OUT AND RESCUE SOMEBODY WHO IS ON A CLOSED TRAIL.
LIKELY COULD BE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
IT'S COST TO FLY IN A HELICOPTER.
VERY EXPENSIVE.
TO GET SOME OF THESE OUT THERE, LIKELY TO BE VERY EXPENSIVE.
RIGHT NOW, TRESPASSING I THINK THE CHARGE IS PROBABLY A THOUSAND DOLLARS FINE AND POTENTIALLY 30 DAYS IN JAIL.
IF YOU'RE TRESPASSING.
THIS IS DIFFERENT.
CHARGING FOR THE RESCUE AND SEARCH COST ITSELF.
I RECOGNIZE YOU DON'T WANT TO DELAY CALLING FOR HELP.
AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOME WAY OF ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM AS YOU SAY, ROGUE HIKERS OUT THERE, IGNORING THE NO TRESPASSING SIGN, GOING TO A PLACE ENDANGERING THEMSELVES, WE NEED SOMETHING TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT PROBLEM.
>>Yunji: YOU'RE A AVID HIKER.
NOT A ROGUE ONE.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS?
DO YOU SHARE CONCERNS ABOUT HPD QUOTE THAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT DELAY RESCUE AND GET INTO MORE TROUBLE OR DO YOU THINK THERE IS A PLACE FOR THESE FOLKS TO BEAR SOME OF THE COST?
>> WE DON'T ADVOCATE PEOPLE GOING ON CLOSED TRAILS.
WE ARE CONCERNED THAT PEOPLE THAT GO OUT HIKING, MAY GET INTO A SITUATION WHERE THEY'VE THEY'RE ON REGULAR TRAIL, EXPLORING SOMETHING, AND NOW, THEY'RE NOT SURE WHAT THE PROTOCOL IS.
NOW, THEY'RE GOING TO THINK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT I SHOULD CALL BECAUSE AM I, IS THIS CROSSING THE LINE?
SO WE'RE CONCERNED THAT THEY WILL DELAY AND POSSIBLY GET THEMSELVES IN A WORSE SITUATION AND EXPOSE THE FIRST RESPONDERS TO WORST SITUATION.
>>Yunji: I'M INTERESTED, AARON, OVER THE COURSE OF SERVING IN THE DLNR, THESE ALMOST THREE DECADES NOW, HOW HAVE YOU SEEN PEOPLE'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE OUTDOORS CHANGE?
DO YOU FEEL THAT PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN MORE ADVENTUROUS THANKS TO THINGS LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA, MORE OF PROPENSITY TO EXPLORE MAYBE WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T?
>> OH, YEAH.
ABSOLUTELY.
WHEN I STARTED YEARS AGO, YOU WOULD SAY MAYBE TEN OR 13 PEOPLE MANOA FALLS POOL.
THAT TRAIL GETTING UPWARDS 700 TO A THOUSAND PEOPLE ON A 3 DAY WEEKEND.
AND SO BUT I THINK IT'S ALSO THOSE WHO WANT TO GO WITH BEYOND THAT SIMPLE EXPERIENCE OF JUST GETTING INTO A WATERFALL OR SEEING A WATERFALL.
WANT GO UP AND SEE OTHER THINGS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE GONE AND SELFIES HAVE BEEN TAKEN.
OTHER HIGHER POOLS OR RIDGE LINES AND THOSE ARE MUCH MORE CHALLENGING AND DANGEROUS.
I'M NOT SURE THEY THEY THEY'RE ON ILLEGAL TRAIL OR AUTHORIZED TRAIL OR CLOSED TRAIL.
IN SOME CASES IT'S CLEAR.
LIKE JOHN SAID, SOME CASES IT'S NOT THAT CLEAR.
>>Yunji: DO WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB PERHAPS OF LABORING SOME OF THESE AREAS?
DO YOU THINK THAT WOULD HELP ANY OF THIS?
>> YES.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO LABEL.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE END OF IT IS OR WHERE IT'S ACCEPTABLE OR NOT.
SO IF THEY KNOW, GONE PAST A SIGN, THEY KNOW BETTER GET BACK.
OR IF THEY SEE SOMETHING DANGEROUS HOPEFULLY WILL HAVE ENOUGH SMARTS TO RETHINK WHAT THEY'VE DONE.
BUT SOMETIMES YOU DON'T KNOW.
JUST HEY, WE'LL JUST GO EXPLORING.
>> PEOPLE DO.
BUT WE DON'T, AGAIN WANT THEM TO STOP HESITATE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS.
>>Yunji: WHAT ABOUT THAT IDEA OF HESITATION?
DO YOU THINK THAT THIS KIND OF LEGISLATION WOULD BE ENOUGH OF A DETERRENT, HEY, IF I'M DETERMINED GO GET THAT SELFIE, DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
>> WELL, I THINK NO ONE IN THE LEGISLATURE WANTS ANYONE TO BE ENDANGERED.
NOBODY WANTS ANYBODY WHO NEEDS RESCUE TO HESITATE CALLING FOR A RESCUE.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE ALSO IN THE LEGISLATURE HEARING LOTS OF CALLS FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS SAYING, THESE ARE IRRESPONSIBLE PEOPLE WOULD ARE HIKING ON A TRAIL THAT IS CLEARLY CLOSED AND THERE'S A NO TRESPASSING SIGN.
THEY HAD TO CROSS OVER.
GET IN TROUBLE.
THEN WE'RE SPENDING PUBLIC MONEY TO RESCUE THEM.
IRRESPONSIBLE THEM.
THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
WE DON'T WANT TO SPEND PUBLIC MONEY ON IT.
WHERE THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO FIND A BALANCE.
REASON WHY AS CHAIRMAN OF THE JUDICIARY HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, I RECOMMENDED THAT WE ADVANCE THIS BILL FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION, BECAUSE AGAIN, THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME STATE AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, SAID, THIS IS A GOOD IDEA.
WE FULLY SUPPORT THIS.
AND SO I THINK FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION SAID, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S GOTTEN OUT OF HAND.
THERE ARE WAY TOO MANY OF THESE IRRESPONSIBLE HIKERS OUT THERE.
WE NEED SOMETHING TO BE A DETERRENT.
WE ARE WILLING TO SIT DOWN WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
WHAT THE LEGISLATURE REALLY WANTS TO DO.
WE DON'T WANT TO BE UNREASONABLY THINK WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
THAT'S THE BALANCE WE'RE TRYING TO STRIKE.
>>Yunji: WITH THIS SORT OF THRILL SEEKING BEHAVIOR, I'M GUESSING YOU'RE NOT ASKING FOR DRIVER'S LICENSE WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER THESE FOLKS.
DO YOU KNOW IF IT'S MORE VISITOR ISSUE OR MORE RESIDENT ISSUE?
PERCEPTION THAT A LOT OF THESE FOLKS ARE COMING FROM OUT OF TOWN.
>> I THINK THAT'S A GOOD POINT.
I THINK THERE'S SO MANY UNKNOWNS I THINK A LOT WITH THIS.
HOW MANY WITH THERE.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THEY VISITORS?
ARE THEY LOCALS?
WHERE ARE THEY GOING?
ARE THEY DOING IT JUST TO GET A FREE RIDE OUT OF FOREST OR SERIOUS ISSUE?
A LOT OF UNKNOWNS I THINK AND THEREFORE, I THINK YOU MENTIONED THIS, IS THAT DOING MORE SURVEY WORK OR CAPACITY STUDIES, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF MOVING FORWARD WITH SOME CAPACITY STUDIES THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO ANSWER SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS.
WORKING WITH UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, ON POTENTIAL SURVEYS THAT ASK WHAT WOULD PEOPLE, IF THEY WERE LOST, WOULD THEY CALL FOR 911, THOSE TYPES OF QUESTIONS MIGHT BE A PART OF THAT.
I THINK THAT THAT SAY HUGE PART TO THIS.
I DON'T AS I SAID, STATE AGENCY, I KNOW WE DON'T AND I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THEM.
HAVE THE NUMBERS ON HOW MANY OF THESE ARE CARRIED OUT AND HOW MUCH THEY COST.
WHAT IS THAT NUMBER?
SO IT'S LIKE A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS.
THE OTHER UNKNOWN IS, ONCE IF IT IS A VISITOR, WE RESCUE THEM AND THEN THEY'RE ON A PLANE THE NEXT DAY GOING BACK HOME.
SO HOW ARE GOING TO CHARGE THEM THAT'S THE BILL COLLECTION PART OF THIS NEEDS TO BE WORKED OUT.
NOT THAT I'M SAYING THAT I'M AGAINST IT, I KNOW THAT OUR AGENCY IN THE PAST, WHEN WE HAVE A NEW ADMINISTRATION NOW.
IN THE PAST TENDED TO SIDE WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
BECAUSE OF THE REASON OF THE 911 CALL, NOT HAPPENING WHEN IT SHOULD.
I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE WITH OUR NEW CHAIRPERSON.
I THINK WE FELT PAST CHAIRPERSON FELT THE SAME WAY.
THAT MIGHT CHANGE.
I THINK THOUGH WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO HAPPEN, WE'VE SAID THIS, IS LET'S LOOK AT IT CLOSER.
LET'S TRY TO ANSWER SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS.
WHAT IS IT GOING ‑‑ HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO COST?
HOW MUCH IS IT COSTING NOW?
AND WHAT ARE SOME OTHER TYPES OF THINGS MAYBE SOME NEW TECHNOLOGY, JOHN MENTIONED, PUTTING SOME SIGNS UP, THAT IS VERY TIME‑CONSUMING TAKES A LOT OF CAPACITY FOR OUR PROGRAM OR FOR ANYBODY TO PUT SIGNS UP.
AND DO WE GO ON HIKES TO SEE SIGNS?
WE GO TO HIKES TO SEE NATURE.
THERE MIGHT BE WAYS TO USE TECHNOLOGY AND APPS THAT TELL YOU THERE'S VIRTUAL BOUNDARIES.
SO WHEN YOU GO TO A PLACE YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE GOING, PHONE TELL YOU NOT SUPPOSED GOING IN AREA.
STUFF COMING OUT.
MAYBE SOMETHING TO LOOK AT.
>> WE NEED MORE DATA.
AND I THINK AT THE LEGISLATURE, WE'RE FEELING LIKE WE'RE BEING ASKED TO MAKE A DECISION THAT SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BUT WE REALLY DON'T EVEN KNOW THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM.
DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO BE ABLE TO DO THESE RESCUE.
DON'T KNOW HOW MANY RESCUES THAT ARE OCCURRING HOW MANY ARE ON CLOSED TRAILS THE WE DON'T HAVE THAT DATA.
DURING THE PANDEMIC DIDN'T HAVE ALL THE VISITORS HERE, A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS GOT OUT INTO NATURE AND THOUGHT, WOW, IT'S BEAUTIFUL HERE.
AND THEY ENJOYED IT.
OPENING UP, MORE VISITORS COMING BACK.
PEOPLE RECOGNIZING THERE'S OVERUSE OF NUMBER OF OUR VERY POPULAR HIKING TRAILS AND SNORKLING SITES.
REAL PUSH NOW TO ADDRESS THAT.
OVERUSE PROBLEM.
AND AT THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK THERE IS A RECOGNITION THAT WE NEED TO FUND THE AGENCIES BETTER SO THEY CAN HAVE THE CAPACITY TO GET MORE DATA.
AND THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE OVERUSE.
SO FOR THE FIRST TIME I THINK THERE IS POLITICAL SUPPORT TO CONSIDER GREEN FEE.
CHARGING PEOPLE TO USE THESE PUBLIC TRUST RESOURCES AND THEN USE THAT FEE IN ORDER TO BETTER MANAGE THESE RESOURCES.
I THINK THAT IS A WATERSHED EVENT.
I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS SESSION.
WE HAD THREE WEEKS LEFT IN THE SESSION.
>>Yunji: YOU GOT A LOT OF THINGS ON THE AGENDA.
I KNOW.
A LOT OF VIEWER QUESTIONS.
>> GET TO A FEW OF THESE.
FACEBOOK SAYS, WHO PAYS FOR THE COST OF THESE RESCUES RIGHT NOW?
WRITING IN FROM MAUI.
WHO IS FRONTING THAT?
>> WE DO.
TAXPAYORS.
PUBLIC SERVICES WE'RE PAYING FOR THEM THROUGH OUR STATE AND COUNTY TAXES.
COUNTIES THEY CHARGE TAXES THROUGH PROPERTY.
AT THATS.
BUT A NUMBER OF THESE AGENCIES ALSO GET SUPPORT FROM THE STATE AND A LOT OF THE FUNDING FROM THE STATE COMES FROM GENERAL EXCISE TAX.
>>Yunji: JAMES FROM MILILANI.
I WONDER IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO THIS.
MORE OF COMMENT THAN A QUESTION.
CHARGE FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE FAIR TO CHARGE FOR LIVESAVING SERVICE.
DO YOU REALLY THINK IF SOMEONE HAS A BROKEN LEG OR BAD, DANGEROUS SITUATION, THEY WOULD DELAY IF THEY THOUGHT THEY MIGHT BE HAVING TO FRONT SOME, PAY FOR SOME OF THOSE COSTS?
>> YES.
I THINK THEY WOULD.
PLENTY PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO PAY FOR THINGS.
PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT BY THE HELICOPTER.
WHEN THEY GET THERE, TO THE AMBULANCE, REFUSE IT.
BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT AMBULANCE.
SO THEN THEY SOMEBODY GIVE THEM A RIDE TO THE HOSPITAL.
I MEAN, THERE IS THAT DETERRENT.
PEOPLE DOESN'T DON'T WANT TO DO IT.
BUT WHEN THEY'RE UP IN THE MOUNTAIN, THEY DON'T HAVE EASY ACCESS TO GET THAT CARE.
SO GETTING THEM TO WHERE THEY CAN GET THERE, THEY DO THAT.
BUT IT'S NOT SAYING IT'S NOT, DOESN'T COST US AS TAXPAYORS MONEY.
BUT DEFINITELY PEOPLE WOULD DETER FROM CALLING ESPECIALLY BECAUSE AMBULANCE SOMETIMES HAS SOME COVERAGE BY YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE.
HELICOPTER IS NOT GOING TO BE IN THERE.
>>Yunji: RIGHT.
WHAT MIGHT BE, IF THE STATUS QUO IS NOT NECESSARILY WORKING, THEN WHAT MIGHT BE A BETTER WAY OR DO YOU THINK THAT THE WAY IT IS NOW IS OKAY?
>> I SAY IT'S OKAY, I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD BE NOT DOING SOME OF THESE THINGS.
MAIN ISSUE IS TRESPASSING >> YOU COULD GET HURT ON REGULAR TRAILS THAT ARE JUST AS FAR UP INTO THE MOUNTAINS AS SOME OF THESE PEOPLE GETTING HURT ON ILLEGAL TRAILS.
SO HOW IS BECAUSE IT HAPPENS TO BE AN LEGAL TRAIL VERSUS OTHER GUY ON ILLEGAL TRAIL, EXPOSING THEMSELVES TO SIMILAR DANGERS.
NOW MAKING A DISTINCTION BETWEEN, YOU WERE ON A NAHELE TRAIL AND HE WASN'T.
WE SHOULD CHARGE HIM BUT NOT THE OTHER GUY.
THAT'S KIND OF, LITTLE BIT HARD.
I MEAN, THE RESCUES, STATISTICS BACK FROM 15 TO 19, 23% OF THE OAHU HELICOPTER RESCUES WERE UP BETWEEN DIAMOND HEAD AND KOKO HEAD.
SO THEY WERE EATING UP A LOT OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET.
JUST ON THOSE TWO HIKES.
SO >>Yunji: I KNOW THAT I PERSONALLY NOT AS MUCH AS I WOULD LIKE TO, KOKO HEAD FAIRLY REGULARLY.
I OFTEN SEE VISITORS, I ASSUMING FOLKS ARE VISITORS.
I SEE HIKERS WOEFULLY UNPREPARED FOR THAT HIKE.
COMING INTO SLIPPERS.
FOR THAT HIKE.
HOW DO WE BETTER PREPARE THOSE FOLKS?
SEE THEM, YOU SHOULD BE WEARING SOME REAL SHOES >> YOU SHOULD HAVE SOME WATER.
AT WHAT POINT, HOW DO WE EDUCATE FOLKS SO THEY DON'T GET INTO TROUBLE, RESCUE, DIAMOND HEAD KOKO HEAD, WHATEVER >> THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN BIG QUESTION.
THERE'S SOME, WAY DOES IT.
WORKING WITH THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.
WORKING WITH DIFFERENT AIRLINES SO THAT MAYBE IN FLIGHT MOVIES, AND EDUCATION CAN BE PROVIDED.
THINGS THAT THE AIRPORT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IN THE PAST.
PROVIDE THINGS ON OUR WEBSITE.
I THINK MORE RECENTLY, ESPECIALLY WITH SOME OF THESE MORE HIGH USE PLACES, IS THERE NEEDS TO BE WHERE WE SAY, ADULT IN THE ROOM, EDUCATE ABOUT THE PLACE.
FIRST.
AND FOREMOST, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS AND WHAT THEY'RE SEEING IN THE CULTURAL VALUES AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE AREA.
BEING PREPARED IS ANOTHER VERY STRONG OUTREACH POINT TO HIT PEOPLE WITH.
AND THEN ALSO, KEEPING EYE OUT MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT BEHAVIOR.
A LONG THESE TRAILS A LIGHT OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING WHICH‑A LOT OF WE'RE SEEING NEGATIVE IMPACT ON TRAIL HEAD COMMUNITIES.
AND ALSO, CAN BE DEGRADATION TO THE RESOURCE THAT PEOPLE ARE BREAKING STICKS OR VEGETATION PARTICULARLY NATIVE SPECIES.
SO ONE THING WE'RE LOOKING AT IS PARTICULARLY FOR OAHU, CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE OTHER ISLANDS, BUT HAVING STEWARDS AT THE TRAIL HEADS OR AMBASSADORS TRAIL AMBASSADORS SO THAT YOU HAVE SOMEONE THAT CAN HAVE THE ABILITY TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT THEY SHOULD AND SHOULDN'T BE DOING.
OR HELPING THEM EDUCATING THEM AND MAYBE GIVING THEM SOME SUPPLIES OBVIOUSLY, FOR STATE TRAINING AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH SERVICES THAT CAN BE MAYBE PROVIDED IF SOMEONE NEEDS HELP.
LOOK AT IMPLEMENTING THAT.
THAT'S BEEN IMPLEMENTED ON THE BIG ISLAND.
SO HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
BUT IT ALSO COMES WITH ITS CHALLENGES.
>>Yunji: REALLY GOOD POINT.
HAVING A GROWN UP SAY, HEY, MAYBE YOU WANT TO WEAR SOME SHOES ON THIS ONE.
I WANT TO BRING IN SOME OF THE COMMENTS.
LOVE FOR YOU TO RESPOND.
READ A COUPLE.
WOULD DECIDES THE AMOUNT OF FINE OR THE FEE?
WOULD THE COST GO UP SOMEONE DOES IT MORE THAN ONCE?
WOULD THIS WORK AS A DETERRENT.
OTHER SIDE, WHAT RESCUE FEES SEEMS UNFAIR TO PAY FOR THEIR TRAINING NOW WE HAVE TO PAY FOR US TO THEM TO RESCUE US?
A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMMENTS.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE THE SCALE OF THE FINE?
>> ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS.
OPPOSITION, FROM THE HAWAII FIRE DEPARTMENT, HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE EXISTING MECHANISM TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH THE COST WOULD BE.
WE DON'T HAVE A MECHANISM TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT.
AND SO IN MY MIND, WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE FOR 30 YEARS.
I MEAN, LIKE I SAY, I WAS IN FIRST TIME IN OFFICE BACK IN 1994.
WE WERE DEALING WITH IN ISSUE BACK THEN.
TO SEES LIKE WE SHOULD AT LEAST FIGURE THAT OUT.
HOW DO WE ACCOUNT FOR THE COST FOR SEARCH AND RESCUE?
TOTAL UP THE FULL COST SO THAT THEN WE WOULD HAVE IDEA ABOUT HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST.
AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHAT WOULD BE MECHANISM FOR CHARGING THAT.
CERTAIN OCCASIONS WHEN THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.
I THINK WE DO PAY TAXES TO PAY FOR THESE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS, TRAINING, SALARIES FOR ALL OF THESE FOLKS.
FIRST RESPONDERS.
AND WE WANT THEM THERE TO RESCUE SOMEONE WHO NEEDS RESCUING.
BUT IF IT'S IRRESPONSIBLE HIKER WHO GOES ON TO A TRAIL THAT IS CLOSED AND THERE'S A SIGN SAYING NO TRESPASSING, TRAIL CLOSED, AT THE STILL GO UP IT, THIS IS SOMEONE WHO HAS DISREGARD FOR THAT DIRECTION.
AND I THINK IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PUBLIC MONEY TO ACCOMMODATE SOMEBODY WHO BEING IRRESPONSIBLE.
SO ACTUALLY, HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST IN WE DON'T KNOW.
THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.
>>Yunji: WHAT'S INTERESTING TO ME IS THAT YOU'RE PURSUING THIS LEGISLATION BUT DON'T HAVE THAT VERY BASIC INFORMATION.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS IT COST.
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO PASS A BILL WITHOUT THAT INFORMATION?
>> VERY GOOD POINT.
AT THIS POINT, IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THIS BILL WILL GO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
I'VE BEEN TALKING TO HOUSE MEMBERS, CHAIRS OF COMMITTEES THAT ARE WORKING ON THIS, TALKING ABOUT HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD IN RESPONSIBLE WAY?
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY IS INSTEAD OF MANDATING THAT THEY GET REIMBURSEMENT.
WE ACTUALLY REQUIRE THAT THE AGENCIES START COLLECTING DATA.
AND NOT REQUIRE THAT THEY SEEK REIMBURSEMENT.
BUT EMPHASIZE THEY HAVE THE OPTION OF SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT.
BUT THAT WE MANDATE THEM TO SET UP A SYSTEM FOR FIGURING OUT HOW MUCH IT COSTS, AND THAT WE MANDATE THEM TO COLLECT DATA ON HOW OFTEN THEY DO THESE RESCUES, WHERE THE RESCUE TAKES PLACE, IS IT AREA THIS THEY HAD TO TRESPASS TO GET THERE.
I THINK THAT MIGHT BE RESPONSIBLE NEXT STEP FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.
AS WE HEAD INTO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
AND YOUR VIEWERS HERE TODAY I THINK I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO SEND EMAILS TO THEIR LEGISLATOR AND TELL THEM THIS IS WAY THINK YOU SHOULD DO WITH THIS BILL.
STILL GATHERING INFORMATION.
DEMOCRACY.
WE'RE INTERESTED TO HEAR FROM CONSTITUENTS.
I ALWAYS SAY THAT WE DO BETTER JOB AS LEGISLATORS WHEN HE HEAR TESTIMONY FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS.
I WOULD URGE YOUR VIEWERS TO SEND EMAIL IN AND TO THEIR LEGISLATORS AND SAY, THIS IS WHAT WE THINK SHOULD BE DONE.
>>Yunji: MIKE FROM LIHUE HAS SOMETHING HERE.
THINK I THINK RATE TRAILS FOR SEVERITY AND LENGTH.
ADVANCED MEDIUM BEGINNER, ET CETERA AND MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
I BELIEVE YOUR AGENCY AND YOU HAVE DONE JUST THAT.
TELL US ABOUT IT >> YES AND NO.
THAT'S CHALLENGING BECAUSE IT CAN BE ARBITRARY.
NOVICE HIKER, OR SOMEONE FROM THE HAWAII TRAIL MOUNTAIN CLUB MIGHT HAVE TWO DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THE SAME HIKE >> GO UP IT'S DRY, RAINS, ON WAY BACK, IT'S A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TRAIL.
SO BENEFIT SOCIAL MEDIA ACTUALLY IS, SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NOT REALIZE THAT, COMMENTS OR RATINGS IF YOU READ THOSE, YOU'LL START TO GET IDEA FROM THOSE RATINGS AND FROM THOSE COMMENTS AND YOU SEE THAT WHOLE RANGE.
THAT IS WHEN YOU START TO REALIZE THAT TO RATE THIS, IS GOING CAN BE BASED ON A MANAGER WHO IS GROWN UP HIKING LIKE MYSELF, YOU NEED REACH OUT AND DO A SURVEY POTENTIALLY, ANOTHER WAY IS TO QUANTIFY IT BASED ON THE TRAIL CONDITIONS.
NUMBER OF TRIP HAZARDS.
STEEPNESS OF THE TRAIL.
MOST, WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN STARTED IMPLEMENT, SOMETHING THAT IT STARTED BY ADDRESSING PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, IS ACTUALLY POSTING MORE ABOUT THE ACTUAL TRAIL CONDITIONS OR THE DYNAMICS OF THE TRAIL ITSELF.
SO WHAT IS THIS DEEPEST POINT YOU'RE GOING TOEN COUNTER?
WHAT IS‑ENCOUNTER?
WHAT IS THE STEEPEST SLIDE SLOPE GOING TO INENCOUNTER THEN CAN YOU MAKE THE DECISION IF THIS TRAIL FOR YOU.
CAME OUT RATING TRAILS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY.
SOMEONE HAD A PROSTHETIC MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO GO ON A SLIDE SLOPE, LEG COULDN'T HOLD THEN UP.
THINK OF DISABILITIES, THINK OF WHEELCHAIRS >> WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE?
IF NOT THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE THAT RANGE OF DIFFERENT DISABILITIES MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY THESE TRAIL CONDITIONS.
THAT IS WHERE THESE SIGNS CAME FROM.
AT THE END, ANYBODY CAN USE THAT INFORMATION TO MAKE THAT DETERMINATION.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU TAKE ALL OF THAT DATA AND QUANTIFY IT INTO A NOVICE TRAIL, OR EXPERT TRAIL, OR START GIVING IT DIAMOND, SOME KIND OF SKI SLOPE RATING LIKE A DIAMOND OR GREEN CIRCLE OR WHATEVER, THAT CAN BE I THINK MOST OF THE TIME, THOSE ARE DONE THROUGH A LOT OF WORKING WITH YOUR USERS DIFFERENT USERS, AND TRYING TO GET A LOT OF INFORMATION BACK FROM THEM, THROUGH SURVEYS, AND KIND OF TRYING TO QUANTIFY THAT INTO WHAT MAYBE ONE RATING MIGHT BE.
BUT IT CAN BE CHALLENGING BECAUSE IT'S SO ARBITRARY.
>>Yunji: THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS COMING IN.
WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU WRITING IN.
KEEP THEM COMING AND KEEP THOSE PHONES RINGING.
TAKE US THIS ON.
SEEMS LIKE CONVERSATION IS FOCUSING ON PUBLIC TRAILS WHAT ABOUT TRAILS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY?
PRIVATE LANDOWNERS OFTEN BEST WEATHER ON THE PLANET BRUNT OF HIKERS NOT ONLY TRESPASSING END UP VANDALIZING ELEMENTS OF PROPERTY.
WHERE DO THE PRIVATE AREAS FIT INTO ALL OF THIS?
>> WELL, LIKE YOU SAY, FINES FOR TRESPASSING >> UP TO LAND OWNERS CALL PROPERTY AUTHORITY.
DLNR, HPD, POLICE FORCE ON ISLAND.
HAVE THEM REPORT THAT THEY'RE TRESPASSING.
WHAT THEY SHOULD BE FINED FOR.
>>Yunji: THERE ARE EXISTING TRESPASSING RULES ESPECIALLY HOW OFTEN ARE THOSE ENFORCED?
IF YOU'RE TRESPASSING, LIKE THIS CALLING IS SUGGESTING, YOU'RE ALREADY SUBJECT TO FINES, RIGHT?
ARE THOSE ACTUALLY ENFORCED?
>> I HEAR IT'S DIFFICULT FOR PRIVATE LANDOWNER TO PURSUE THAT.
I LIVE ON HAWAII ISLAND.
WAIMEA.
AND WE HAVE PLACES THAT ARE FAMOUS ON INSTAGRAM.
AND SO YOU GET VISITORS USUALLY WHO WILL HIKE THERE AND THEN SOMETIMES THEY GET IN TROUBLE.
THESE ARE FLASHY STREAMS.
HEAVY RAIN, DOWNPOUR THEY CAN GET STRAND, GET IN TROUBLE AND THEY HAVE TO GET RESCUED >> PRIVATE LANDOWNER SAYING THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
I'VE GOT HIRE AN ATTORNEY TO FOLLOW UP AND GET THEM CHARGED WITH TRESPASSING AND TRY TO COLLECT.
HUGE COST FOR THE PRIVATE LAND OWNER.
PUT UP MORE SIGNS.
MAKE IT SO DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO GET THERE.
BUT WE HAD TO, THESE ARE FIREFIGHTERS THAT GO AND RESCUE THESE FOLKS.
SO IN A CASE LIKE THAT, THEY KNEW THEY WERE TRESPASSING.
THAT TRESPASSING FINE OF A THOUSAND DOLLARS OR POTENTIAL 30 DAYS IN JAIL IS NOT ENOUGH.
IT'S NOT STOPPING PEOPLE FROM DOING IT.
INSTAGRAM, I GUESS, THESE OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA THINGS, ARE SO ATTRACTIVE.
WANT TO GET THAT SELFIE IN THAT SPECIAL PLACE.
SO WE DON'T LOSING CONTROL.
OVER THESE SPECIAL PLACES.
>>Yunji: HOW DO WE TAKE THAT CONTROL BACK?
DO YOU THINK?
THERE UP SIDE TO SOCIAL MEDIA WHERE WE CAN GET THE WORD OUT FAST.
DOWN SIDE WHERE EVERYONE IS TRYING TO ONE UP EACH OTHER AND GET THE BETTER PICKER.
IS THERE A WAY TO HARNESS SOME OF THAT FOR GOOD?
>> YEAH.
THAT'S A BIG CHALLENGE.
SO I MEAN, RIGHT.
IF YOU CAN'T BEAT THEM, JOIN THEM KIND OF WHAT I'VE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR OUTREACH PEOPLE ABOUT.
YOU KNOW, IS IT, WE TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO COME TO OUR WEBSITE BECAUSE WE TRY TO PUT THE MOST UPDATED INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRAILS THAT WE MANAGE AND MAINTAIN FOR EVERY DAY PUBLIC USE.
WE TRY OUR BEST TO GUIDE PEOPLE TO THOSE.
WE GOT QUITE A BIT.
100‑MILES ON THIS ISLAND OVER 40 ROADS, AND TRAILS TO CHOOSE FROM THAT ARE LEGALLY OPEN FOR EVERY DAY PUBLIC USE.
BUT WELL, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT APPS OUT THERE PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIVATE TRAILS, TRAILS THAT ARE CLOSED, WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THOSE.
OR THE CAPACITY TO TRY AND TRACK DOWN THAT MISINFORMATION.
SO THAT WOULD BE AREA WHERE WE COULD USE HELP FOR THE CAPACITY TO TRY TO TRACK THAT DOWN.
AND ALSO, MAYBE BEING MORE PROACTIVE.
OPEN UP NEW TRAIL, WE PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO THOSE DIFFERENT APPS THAT ARE OUT THERE SO THAT THEY'RE GIVEN FIRST AND FOREMOST THAT INFORMATION RATHER THAN FROM A USER, REGULAR TRAIL USER HOW THESE MOSTLY ARE BUILT, BY TRAIL USERS.
IT'S BASED ON THEIR JUDGMENT AND THEIR IDEA OF THE TRAIL.
AND SO THAT'S VERY ATTRACTIVE TO PEOPLE AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT TENDS TO BE THE FIRST TIME OF APP THAT COME UP BECAUSE IT IS POPULAR.
SO HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?
AGAIN, THAT'S A CAPACITY ISSUE.
WE NEED SOME MORE MONEY AND MORE STAFF TO TRY TO ADDRESS THAT.
>>Yunji: I WANT TO BRING IN COUPLE OF QUESTIONS HERE.
VISITORS.
ROSE FROM KIHEI, WHY DO WE ORGANIZE RESORTS HIKES AND SENSITIVE AREAS CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED THROUGH GUIDED TOURS.
MANAGED AND PROVIDE LOCAL JOBS.
VISITORS PAY OVER $2 MILLION PER DAY T.A.T.
USE THAT MONEY PROVIDE QR CODES TRAILS AND LIFEGUARD STATIONS EDUCATE TOURISTS ABOUT SAFETY.
READING COUPLE OF THESE.
WARM‑UPS VERY SO MANY.
I LOVE IT WHEN YOU CALL IN.
TOURISTS HIKING TRAILS AND VANDALIZING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WITH NO RESPECT FOR REGARD WHEN APPROACHED RIDICULED AND CALLED A KAREN.
THIS CALLER FROM PEARL CITY HAS IDEA, VISITORS SHOULD HAVE TO SIGN A FORM ON THE AIRPLANE ATTESTING THEY ARE WILLING TO FOLLOW RULES LIKE THE AG FORMS YOU HAVE ON THE PLANE NOW.
TALKED ABOUT KOKUA PLEDGE, ENVIRONMENTAL PLEDGE TO GO ALONG WITH THIS GREEN FREE CONCEPT.
WAY INCORPORATE SOME OF THOSE IDEAERS EDUCATING VISITORS TO BE MORE RESPONSIBLE >> GRATEFUL TO HEAR THESE SUGGESTIONS.
GIVES ELECTED OFFICIALS COURAGE TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO SAKE SOME OF THESE FUNDS WE GET FROM THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX OR INSTITUTING GREEN FEE, AND SPEND IT ON THINGS LIKE READERS, YOUR VIEWERS ARE SUGGESTING, BETTER OUTREACH AND EDUCATION FOR VISITORS.
HOTELS THAT I TALKED TO, RESORTS I TALKED TO, IF SOMEONE ASKS FOR INFORMATION WE TELL THEM NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC GO IT.
HOTEL FOLKS SAY, THEY'RE NOT GETTING INFORMATION FROM US.
THEY'RE GETTING IT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA.
AGAIN WE DON'T CONTROL SOCIAL MEDIA.
THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF IT AND DARK SIDE OF IT.
WE DO NEED TO IMPROVE OUR CAPACITY FOR MANAGING THESE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
HAVING SOME SORT OF STEWARD PROGRAM, TRAIL STEWARD, IS VERY HELPFUL.
I KNOW WE DO THAT FOR SOME OF THE TRAILS THAT WE HAVE ON HAWAII ISLAND.
IN THE PAST, WERE READILY AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE AND IN FACT, PEOPLE GREW UP THERE, GO OUT TO TRAIL.
GO THERE THESE DAYS, 50 PEOPLE.
60 PEOPLE.
100 PEOPLE.
CARS PARKED UP AND DOWN THE SIDE OF STREET AND TRAFFIC SAFETY PROBLEMS, NO BATHROOMS THERE.
PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.
JUST REALLY WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IT.
THAT'S WHY I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR US TO USE SOME OF THIS MONEY THAT WE ARE GETTING FROM TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX, POTENTIALLY THIS GREEN PEAHI, TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATION TAX, GREEN FEE, SPEND IT ON BETTER MANAGEMENT POPULAR TRAILS PARK AND ACCESS POINTS LIKE THIS.
WE CAN'T JUST IGNORE IT ANY MORE.
BECOME A CRISIS >>Yunji: THERE'S A COMMENT HERE, RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS SHOULD BE TURNED INTO DATABASE AND CHARGED TO PAY FOR THE RESCUE.
SHOULD BE APP TO TELL HIKERS WHETHER THEY ARE TRESPASSING.
HOW DO YOU ADVICE WHERE THEY HIKE AND WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T HIKE?
HOW DO PEOPLE ACTUALLY FIGURE OUT WHAT IS SAFE AND WHAT'S NOT?
>> WE HAVE PROGRAM, WE HAVE ACTUAL HIKES EVERY WEEKEND.
SO AND WE DO CLEARING ON OUR HIKES.
WE CAN NOTIFY, HIKE COORDINATOR NEEDS THOSE PEOPLE, THEY CAN INFORM THEM ON ABOUT THAT HIKE.
ABOUT TO GO ON.
AS TO WHAT THE TRAIL CONDITIONS WERE.
THEY WERE ON IT LIKE A COUPLE, BEFORE THAT.
DURING THE CLEARING AND THEY CAN NOTIFY THEM OF DIFFERENT CONDITIONS EXISTS ON THAT TRAIL AT THAT TIME.
BECAUSE THESE TRAILS, THEY'LL CHANGE FROM MONTH‑TO‑MONTH.
OVER A YEAR.
CHANGE TO DANGERS.
LANDSLIDES AND CHANGES CONDITION THAT TRAIL.
SO EVEN A PERSON THAT'S BEEN ON THAT TRAIL MANY TIMES MAY NOT KNOW SPECIFIC CONDITIONS THAT THE TRAIL IS IN.
SO WE TRY TO GET THAT INFORMATION TO THEM BEFORE THEY START THAT LIKE THAT DAY.
>>Yunji: HOW MUCH OF THIS ISSUE DO YOU THINK IS PEOPLE INADVERTENTLY MAKING WRONG CHOICE AS OPPOSED TO IRRESPONSIBLY HEADING DOWN THE WRONG TRAIL?
>> THAT ONE IS HARD TO SAY EXACTLY HOW IT HAPPENS.
IT DEFINITELY HAPPENS.
I MEAN, PLENTY OF PEOPLE INADVERTENTLY LOSE THE TRAIL OR TAKE OFF.
SO SOMETIMES TRAIL ISN'T WELL DEFINED.
GO OUT WRONG WAY AND MAKE IT DISORIENTED.
BACKTRACK AND FIND THEIR WAY.
SOME PEOPLE HAVE DIFFICULTY WITH THAT.
SO THAT'S WHAT MIGHT SAY IS HONEST MISTAKE.
DIDN'T MEAN TO, WEREN'T TRYING TO GET OFF TRAIL INTENTIONALLY AND GET THEMSELF IN A BIND.
ACCIDENTALLY GO OFF TRAIL.
MAY HAVE GOTTEN THEMSELVES IN A BIND.
BECOMES LIKE I WASN'T TRY DOING SOMETHING BAD.
BUT HOW DO YOU QUANTIFY THAT.
WE DON'T KNOW.
I'M SURE THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT GO OUT THERE FOR THE ADVENTURE, WE'RE TRYING TO PROMOTE SAFE HIKING AND EDUCATE PEOPLE BEFORE THEY GO ON THE TRAIL.
WHAT IS GOING ON.
>> YOUR QUESTION IS EXACTLY SORT OF QUESTION THAT WE WOULD ASK A LEGISLATURE.
NEED MORE DATA.
HOW MANY OF THESE RESCUES HAPPEN TO PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE.
GOING ON TRAILS CLOSED WITH A SIGN, GOING TRESPASSING WHERE THERE'S A SIGN.
AND HOW MANY OF THESE RESCUES ARE ACTUALLY HIKERS JUST GOT DISORIENTED AND WANDERED OFF TRAIL.
GOT LOST.
IF WE HAD MORE DATA LIKE THAT, THAT WOULD ASSIST THE AGENCIES IT WOULD ASSIST LEGISLATURE, I THINK IT WOULD HELP TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.
HAWAII FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION WHICH IS THE UNION REPRESENTING THESE FIRST RESPONDERS SAID, THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY ON THOSE BLATANTLY VIOLATING AND DISREGARDING THE LAW IS JUST INCREASING BAD BEHAVIOR AND LEADING TO MORE RESCUE INCIDENTS IN AREAS THAT RESTRICTED FROM PUBLIC USE.
THE FIRST STEP IS TO CREATE A DETERRENT TO TRY AND REDUCE OR ELIMINATE THESE UNNECESSARY RESCUES.
HFFA HAWAII FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION, APPRECIATES AND WELCOMES OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.
THAT'S AWAY NEED TO DO.
>>Yunji: WHAT WE NEED TO DO >>Yunji: UNDER THIS CURRENT ITERATION.
86 AS WRITTEN DOESN'T, THE DISTINCTION WITHOUT A DIFFERENCE, YOU GET CHARGED EITHER WAY, RIGHT?
>> YOU WOULD BE CHARGED ‑‑ WELL, UNDER THIS PROPOSED BILL, IS THAT IF YOU ARE, SAYS, REQUIRES GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL OR PORTION OF SEARCH AND RESCUE EXPENSES FOR PERSONS REQUIRE RESCUE AFTER LEAVING HIKING TRAIL ENTERING AREA CLOSE TO THE PUBLIC OR HIKE OGBU IN A TRAIL CLOSED TO PUBLIC.
THERE IS A SIGN GIVING NOTICE OF CLOSURE.
CLEAR IRRESPONSIBLE HIKERS.
WHERE THIS CHARGE WOULD TAKE PLACE.
QUESTION IS, SHOULD WE MANDATE IT?
THEY HAVE TO CHARGE FOR IT?
OR SHOULD WE RATHER REQUIRE AGENCY SET UP A SYSTEM FOR FIGURING OUT WHAT THE COST IS, FOR THESE SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS, SET UP A SYSTEM COLLECTING DATA, ON WHEN AND WHERE THESE RESCUES HAPPEN, AND WHAT WAS PERSON DOING, AND THEN SET UP SYSTEM IF THEY DO CHARGE, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO COLLECT.
STILL NOT MANDATING THEY CHARGE BUT GIVING THEM THE AUTHORITY CHARGE IF THEY CHOOSE TO.
MIGHT BE MIDDLE PATH FORWARD LEGISLATURE SHOULD CONSIDER AS WE GO INTO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON THIS BILL >>Yunji: LARRY SAYS, YOU CAN'T BLAME TOURISTS FOR ALL OF THE PROBLEMS.
AT LEAST HALF OF THEM DOING THIS ARE RESIDENTS OF HAWAII WHO ALSO ABUSE RULES AND NEED TO BE RESCUED.
WE DON'T KNOW FRANKLY THE NUMBERS.
HOW DO RESIDENTS, HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE THEM IF THEY'RE HEADING OUT ON THE TRAIL, HOW DO THEY UTILIZE INFORMATION SO THEY DO OPERATE SAFELY UNDER THE KIND OF INFORMATION THAT YOU WORKED SO HARD TO GET OUT THERE?
>> RIGHT, I MEAN, WE HAND OUT SAFETY BROCHURE AND PART OF THAT IS CHECK DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE.
SO YOU'RE ABLE TO LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE.
MAYBE YOU CAN POST.
FOR BENEFIT.
LOOK AT OUR WEBSITE AND GET INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRAIL.
WHERE IT IS, WHAT TO EXPECT ON IT, WE HAVE A TON OF CONTENT ON OUR WEBSITE ABOUT BIRDS, PLANTS, WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, BASICALLY, ROUTE, DIRECTIONS, HOW TO GET TO THE TRAIL.
QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION WITH PICTURES AND MAPS AND SO DOING THAT RESEARCH PRIOR TO YOUR HIKE IS ALWAYS BENEFICIAL ALWAYS SAY TOO, BRING THE APPROPRIATE GEAR THAT YOU'LL NEED.
OUR BROCHURE HAS ALL OF THAT LIST.
I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO THAT.
BASIC FUNDAMENTALS THAT YOU WOULD TAKE HIKING.
>>Yunji: SURPRISING THAT SOMETIMES I'M OUT THERE, SEE FOLKS NO WATER, NO HAT, NO NOTHING AND IT'S DANGEROUS.
>> RIGHT.
THERE'S A BIG MIX OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE ON OUR TRAILS.
I SEE PEOPLE WITH PROBABLY MORE GEAR THAN THEY NEED ALSO.
>>Yunji: WEBSITE.
MAKE SURE WE GET IT ON THERE >> HAWAII TRAILS.HAWAII.GOV >>Yunji: I WANT TO BRING IN THIS QUESTION HERE.
CAN WE CHARGE MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR THESE RESCUES?
MECHANISM SO THE INDIVIDUAL DOESN'T HAVE TO PAY, DOES INSURANCE COVER ANY OF THIS?
>> I DOUBT IT.
IRRESPONSIBLE, TRESPASSING.
I COULD BE WRONG >>Yunji: YEAH.
I'M INTERESTED, JOHN, THERE'S SO MANY QUESTIONS HERE.
HOW ABOUT THIS ONE, KEN FROM MAKIKI SAID.
ABOUT CHARGING FEES FOR HIKERS ON ILLEGAL TRAILS WHY WOULD ANYONE OPPOSE THAT?
YOU'RE KIND OF NOT NECESSARILY OPPOSING WHAT THE REPRESENTATIVE IS SAYING, BUT KIND OF CAUSINGING THERE COULD BE SOME DOWN SIDES TO THIS.
>> YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT CHARGING FOR >>Yunji: ISN'T ABOUT CHARGING FEES FOR HIKERS ON ILLEGAL TRAILS?
WHY WOULD ANYONE OPPOSE THAT?
WHY WOULD ANYONE OPPOSE CHARGING FOLKS WHO GET OFF TRAILS, AND THEN END UP COSTING TAXPAYORS POTENTIALLY THOUSAND OF DOLLARS BECAUSE THEY NEEDED HELICOPTER FOR TRAIL THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ON?
>> YEAH, MINE, TRESPASSING THERE'S FEES.
NOT AGAINST PEOPLE HAVING TO PAY A FEE FOR TRESPASSING.
WE'RE JUST, IT'S JUST THAT RESCUE PART, COMES INTO PEOPLE'S MIND, WHEN THEY GET HURT.
NOW THEY'RE THINKING I'M HURT.
WHERE AM I AT?
RELATIVE I SHOULD NOT CALL I NEED TO CRAWL BACK HALF A MILE THAT WAY AND I'LL CALL, BECAUSE I'LL BE WHAT I THINK IS IN A LEGAL AREA?
SO AS FAR AS BEING ILLEGAL, THAT IS DEFINITE ILLEGAL.
THEY SHOULD BE FINED IN AREA THEY SHOULDN'T BE >>Yunji: I GUESS YOU'RE SAYING THAT UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE THESE CURRENT TRESPASSING LAWS.
WHAT IS THE MECHANISMS FOR COLLECTING THESE FINES ONES THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS AND THE ONES THAT YOU'RE PROPOSING?
>> I THINK PRIVATE LANDOWNERS THAT I TALK TO SAY IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET A TRESPASSING CHARGE TO STICK AND ADJUDICATED, PRIVATE LANDOWNER DOESN'T SEE THAT MONEY.
LET'S SAY SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED FOR TRESPASSING.
GET A THOUSAND DOLLARS FINE.
THAT MONEY DOES NOT GO TO THE PRIVATE LANDOWNER.
IT DOES TO THE STATE OR COUNTY.
I GUESS TO THE STATE AND 30 DAYS IN PRISON.
IS THE MAXIMUM IMPRISONMENT FOR IT.
NO COMPENSATION BACK TO THAT PRIVATE LAND OWNER THAT MIGHT HAVE HAD DAMAGE TO THEIR PROPERTY.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, HAWAII FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION FOR YEARS, HAS LINED UP IN OPPOSITION TO THIS SORT OF BILL IN THE PAST.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY'VE ACTUALLY COME OUT AND SAID, WE SUPPORT IT.
AND IN FACT, THEY SAID, OUR TRADITIONAL POSITION ON THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE OLD SCHOOL.
POST COVID ENVIRONMENT, WE HAVE TO CHANGE.
GOT TO LOOK AT THIS DIFFERENTLY.
I THINK THAT'S WHY I LOOKED AT THIS AND SAID, WELL, OKAY, LET'S TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.
GET THE HAWAII FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION TO SIT DOWN WITH DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE FIREFIGHTERS AND THE HAWAII FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION TO THIS.
SO THAT'S WHERE WE MAY HAVE TO MODIFY THIS BILL IN ORDER TO MOVE IT FORWARD IN A WAY THAT ACTUALLY TRIES TO COME UP WITH A DATA.
COME UP WITH A SYSTEM TO COLLECT THAT DATA TO MAKE INFORMED CHOICE.
>>Yunji: QUESTION HERE FROM GEORGE ON MAUI.
SAYS, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING TRAILS?
TRAIL LEADING UP TO KING'S TRAIL HERE ON MAUI.
NOT BEING MAINTAINED.
UP TO THE LOCALS.
WE HAVE I WOULD IMAGINE, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF MILES TRAILS HERE IN HAWAII.
MAYBE JUST THOUSANDS.
NOT SURE.
QUITE A BIT.
FOR ONE AGENCY TO TRY TO TAKE CARE OF.
>> RIGHT.
I MEAN, FOR OAHU, WE'VE DOCUMENTED EVER 280 LINEAR PATHS USED FOR TRANSPORTATION.
PREHISTORICALLY OR MORE MODERN DAY.
AND SO BUT WHAT DO WE MAINTAIN AND MANAGE FOR EVERY DAY PUBLIC USE?
40.
SO THERE ARE OBVIOUSLY A TON OF TRAILS OUT THERE THAT EITHER WE COULD GETS ACCESS TO AND MODIFY AND MAKE OR OUR PROGRAM TRAILS, THAT'S A BACK TO THAT CAPACITY ISSUE.
IF WE HAD MORE MONEY AND MORE CAPACITY, WE WOULD BE EXPANDING OUR PROGRAM.
TO A POINT OF EVEN INDEMNIFYING AND HAVING EASEMENT AGREEMENTS, PURCHASING EASEMENT ACROSS PRIVATE LAND.
TO OPEN UP THESE TRAILS.
THAT WAS PART OF THE ACTUALLY MAIN MISSION AND INTENT OF THE PROGRAM.
WAS STARTED BECAUSE OF A LOSS OF ACCESS AND PUBLIC TRAILS DUE TO URBAN SPRAWL AND DEVELOPMENT.
SO IT'S WITHIN OUR MISSION TO DO THAT.
IT'S JUST WE'VE HIT THAT KIND OF BAD BARRIER OF CAPACITY AND MEANING THAT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE WE WERE TRYING TO MAKE MORE ACCESS, LIABILITY ISSUES, SOCIAL MEDIA, THINGS CAME ABOUT THAT REALLY MADE THAT MISSION MORE CHALLENGING.
SO WE'VE NOW HAD TO FOCUS A LOT OF OUR EFFORTS TRYING TO MANAGE THIS HIGH USE AND WHAT IS CURRENTLY HAPPENING ON THESE EXISTING TRAILS.
RATHER THAN SPENDING TIME ON WHAT ARE ORIGINAL MISSION WAS, WHICH WAS PROVIDING MORE ACCESS.
>> ARGUMENT TOO, IF WE DID HAVE MORE TRAIL MAYBE THAT USE WOULD BE DISBURSED OUT.
BUT AGAIN, WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA TO BACK THAT TYPE OF THEORY OUT.
I THINK IT'S PLAUSIBLE.
BUT IT'S STILL KIND A THEORY.
SO YEAH, I THINK THAT PRETTY MUCH PROBABLY ANSWERED THE QUESTION.
>>Yunji: INTERESTING.
HOW HAVE YOU NOTICED THE TRAILS CHANGING IN IT'S TIME THAT YOU'VE GONE HIKING?
DO YOU FEEL THAT THERE IS SORT OF WE TALK ABOUT SORT OF TOURISM MANAGEMENT.
AND JUST KAMA'AINA TOO.
THAT PERHAPS SOME OF THESE RESOURCES ARE BEING LOVED TO DEATH IF YOU WILL >> VERY MUCH.
VERY MANY TRAILS THAT WAY OVER USED.
AND YOU CAN TELL THAT THE TRAIL BED GETS ERODED, AND BECOMES LESS AS A SAFER HIKE THAN IT USED TO BE.
SO THESE TRAILS OVERUSED, DEFINITELY NEEDS RESPITE FROM THE USAGE.
THAT JUST LIKE HANAUMA BAY.
FIGURED OUT AFTER TOURISTS WEREN'T HERE, THAT, HEY, RECOVERED SOME.
SO SOME OF TRAILS NEED RESPITE TOO.
JUST TO KIND OF RECOVER SOME OF THE THINGS.
OF COURSE, MAINTENANCE.
WE DO A LOT OF TRAIL MAINTENANCE.
TO TRY TO RESTORE SOME OF TRAILS AND MAKE THEM SAFER.
COMBINATION OF THAT.
SOME OF THE TRAILS JUST WAY OVERUSED, >> IN THE MANAGEMENT TOOLBOX FOR TRAILS.
CHOICE OF ARMOR THEM AND MAKE THEM, TO A POINT OF PAVING THEM.
WHICH IS SOMETHING WE PREFER NO NOT TO DO BECAUSE OF AESTHETICALLY TAKES AWAY FROM THE TRAIL EXPERIENCE, TRAIL USER EXPERIENCE.
ONE THAT WE'RE LOOK AT PARTICULARLY WITH TECHNOLOGY IS, STATE PARKS IMPLEMENTING THIS DIAMOND HEAD, COMING UP WITH RESERVATIONS SYSTEM THAT DISBURSES THAT USE OUT.
PART OF PROBLEM OF THE IMPACT IS EXPERIENCE OF SOCIALLY.
IS THE TRAIL, WHEN IT'S OVERCROWDED LOST ANY SENSE OF CONNECTING TO NATURE.
EXCUSE ME, PARDON ME.
STANDING IN LINE TO SEE A WATERFALL.
WE WANT TO AVOID THAT.
RESERVATIONS SYSTEMS YOU CAN HAVE TIMES SLOTS THAT DISBURSE THE PEOPLE OUT.
AT THAT MIGHT ALSO HAVE MORE LIMITED IMPACT ON YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS.
SO NOT EVERYBODY COMING AT 300 CARS SHOW UP IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AT 9.
8 CARS SHOW UP BETWEEN 7:00 AND 8:00 AND FIVE CARS SHOW UP BETWEEN 8:00 AND 9:00.
RESERVATIONS SYSTEMS WE'RE LOOKING AT IMPLEMENTING COULD REALLY DISBURSE THAT IMPACT OUT.
ALSO INCORPORATE MAYBE WHAT I CALL POINT SOURCE FEE SYSTEM WHICH IS WHERE YOU WOULD CHARGE THAT RESERVATIONS, SOMEONE WOULD GET CHARGED FOR THAT.
THEN WE COULD USE THAT MONEY OBVIOUSLY TO HELP SUPPORT THE IT SERVICES FOR THE APP, AND THEN ALSO, MAYBE ARMORING THE TRAIL IF NEEDED.
SO YEAH.
>>Yunji: SUCH AN INTERESTING SORT OF BALANCING ACT.
RIGHT?
I REMEMBER WHEN THEY FIRST IMPLEMENTED THE FEES, OR THE RESERVATIONS SYSTEMS WATCH SUNRISE AT HALEAKALA.
I REMEMBER THINKING I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU HAVE TO MAKE A RESERVATIONS TO WATCH THE SUNRISE.
SOMEBODY GREW UP IN HAWAII.
JUST SUCH A STRANGE CONCEPT.
SIMILAR WITH THE HIKE.
LAST TIME I HAD FRIENDS OUT OF TOWN TOOK THEM TO MANOA.
LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.
THIS IS RIDICULOUS.
THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF SOMETHING BETWEEN >> YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE THAT SORT OF ACCESS FOR EVERYONE THAT, I DO TO GO WATCH THE SUNRISE AND BE ABLE TO DO THAT.
>> THERE ARE SOME GOOD EXAMPLES.
I THINK WE ARE GOING TO LEARN FROM.
ON KAUAI, HIGHEN A THEY WERE BEING OVERRUN BY TOO MANY PEOPLE.
HAENA.
WHAT WAS DONE THERE IS THEY ESTABLISHED A PARKING LOT.
AND ONLY PEOPLE COULD, PEOPLE GO THERE HAD TO PARKING LOT.
COULDN'T PARK ON THE ROAD.
ESTABLISHED RESERVATIONS SYSTEMS.
AND SHUTTLE.
THAT WOULD BRING PEOPLE THERE.
THAT REALLY HELPED TO CONTROL THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE THAT WERE GOING OUT IN THAT AREA.
I THINK THAT IS A SORT OF THING THAT AS SHOWN TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT ELSEWHERE.
WHAT THIS WHOLE THING HAS REALLY BROUGHT ABOUT AND STARK REALITY IS WE HAVE CHRONICALLY BEEN UNDER FUNDING DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
>> DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO WHAT WE'RE ASKING THEM TO DO.
SO AT THE LEGISLATURE, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY.
HOW TO INCREASE FUNDING, ALLOCATE APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE DLNR SO THEY CAN DO WHAT WE'RE ASKING THEM DO.
WHERE THE GREEN FEE ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO DLNR FOR TRAILAL OTHER SORT OF ACTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT OF THESE VERY POPULAR AREAS I THINK IS GOOD PUBLIC POLICY CHOICE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DEBATING RIGHT NOW AT THE LEGISLATURE >>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
WHOLE IDEA OF SPONTANEITY NOT MAKE A RESERVATION.
MANAGE RESOURCES.
>> WE NEED TO MANAGE RESOURCES.
OVERUSED TRAILS, GOOD IDEA TO HAVE A RESERVATIONS SYSTEM.
WHETHER OR NOT LOCALS ARE GOING TO HAVE A PREFERENCE OR BREAK FROM TOURISTS WHEN THEY WANT TO DO IT.
I KNOW THEY'VE DONE THAT WITH SOME OTHER ATTRACTIONS.
LOCALS GET DIFFERENT FEE OR EXEMPTION OR WHATEVER ELSE.
THAT YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO MANAGE THESE TRAILS THAT ARE OVERUSED.
>>Yunji: SO WE JUST HAVE A FEW MINUTES LEFT.
REPRESENTATIVE, TELL US TWO MINUTES LEFT.
TELL US WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH THIS LEGISLATION AND HOW VIEWERS CAN IF THEY WANT TO SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS WITH YOU OR OTHER LAWMAKERS, HOW BEST DO THAT?
ONLY 3 WEEKS LEFT IN SESSION.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE >> TIME IS OF THE ENDS.
THIS BILL ALONG WITH ALL OTHER BILLS STILL UNDER CONSIDERATION ARE NOW MOVING INTO WHAT WE CALL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
THAT IS THE NEGOTIATION BETWEEN HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES THAT REFERRED THESE BILLS, TO DISCUSS AND NEGOTIATE WHAT IS THE FINAL VERSION OF THE BILLS THAT THEN WE WOULD RECOMMEND TO RESPECTIVE CHAMBERS TO VOTE IN FINAL FORM.
FORM.
IF VIEWERS ARE INTERESTED IN THIS, SEND EMAILS TO THEIR OWN LEGISLATOR.
DON'T HAVE TO SEND IT IN TO ME IN PARTICULAR OR ANYONE IN PARTICULAR.
SEND IT IN TO THEIR OWN LEGISLATOR AND SAY, THIS IS A BILL THAT WE HEARD ABOUT ON THE PROGRAM, THIS IS WHAT HE THINK SHOULD BE DONE.
PLEASE TELL YOUR CHAIRS THAT ARE WORKING ON THIS, COMMITTEE CHAIRS, THIS IS WHAT WE WANT TO HAVE DONE.
AND NOW IS THE TIME.
SO THIS WEEK, THIS WEEKEND, WHEN THINKING ABOUT IT, IDEAS, SEND IN EMAIL OR MAKE A PHONE CALL TO REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR WHAT WE YOU SHOULD BE DOING ON THIS BILL.
>>Yunji: TALKED A LOT ABOUT SORT OF DOWNSIZE OF ALL OF THIS.
TELL US AGAIN WHY IT'S GREAT TO GET OUT THERE >> WELL, PART OF MY MISSION ANDY GOT THIS JOB IS TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO NATURE.
STARTS WITH A TRAIL.
GET OUT THERE.
ENJOY YOURSELF.
BE SAFE.
READ UP WHERE YOU'RE GOING AND ENJOY YOURSELF.
WHAT WE DO.
WHAT OUR MISSION IS.
END ON THAT.
>>Yunji: NOTHING LIKE IT GET OUT THERE AND DO IT SAFELY.
MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US.
REPRESENTATIVE DAVID TARNAS, JOHN BRAUM FROM THE HAWAII TRAIL AND MOUNTAIN CORP, AND AARON LOWE FROM DNLR’S DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE.
ALOHA STADIUM CLOSED ITS DOORS FOR THE LAST TIME THIS PAST FEBRUARY AND NOW THE QUESTION IS, “WHAT COMES NEXT?” CAN THE GOVERNOR AND STATE OFFICIALS AGREE ON A PLAN?
NEXT WEEK WE ASK, “WHAT IS UP WITH ALOHA STADIUM?” PLEASE JOIN US THEN.
I’M YUNJI DE NIES FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.
ALOHA!

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