The City and County of Honolulu\'s Diamond Head Recreational Master Plan is scheduled to begin construction shortly. The thought and planning that went into creating this Vision Project is greatly appreciated, but further public usage and safety/liability issues should be considered.
THE PROBLEM: There are important community needs that have not been addressed in this plan, despite letters being sent to the project designer. Diamond Head Park and Beach is heavily-used by residents and by countless visitors alike. Its a daytime social hub for neighbors, friends, seniors, and others who spend time on the beach, in the park or along the scenic lookouts.
It is also a prime recreational area, used daily by surfers, swimmers, windsurfers, kayakers, divers, fishermen, and beachgoers. In fact, currently posted parking times were established based on this usage, beginning daily at 5:00 AM. The waters of Diamond Head are also the site of local, national and international surfing and windsurfing events throughout the year.
The Master Plan calls for the elimination of all 46 stalls of parallel parking on the makai side of Diamond Head Road in this area. Besides severely cutting back the amount of available parking and restricting beach access, a safety hazard is simultaneously exacerbated. The road curves and has numerous blind spots. Crossing Diamond Head Road from the mauka parking is dangerous enough, but carrying surfboards, kayaks, windsurfing gear and other beach and picnic equipment further increases the danger.
Diamond Head Road is also a well-known illegal speeding zone. And the road\'s natural beauty is also a distraction for many motorists. Planned striping of the pavement for expanded bike lanes will neither slow traffic, nor alleviate the danger. Parked vehicles, on the other hand, are a well-known traffic calming device, and elimination of parking may ironically increase speeding.
The current parking plan also denies both visitors and locals the access to view one of Oahus most spectacular scenes. The plan also intends to restrict buses and other large vehicles from stopping.
Scenic overlooks are one of the most benign and environmentally responsible ways to promote Hawaiis natural beauty. Diamond Head symbolizes Hawaii for many, and it would be a shame to keep it from public view.
A SOLUTION: Request that the Diamond Head Recreational Master Plan project be temporarily halted to reevaluate park usage and safety/liability issues. There may be other ways to achieve intended goals and simultaneously serve the public needs.
The intent is not to eliminate the project in its entirety, but reconsider the ramifications and explore possible alternatives. Aloha!