As a gathering place for my ohana and friends. Waipi’o is also one of the most consistent surf breaks on the island. To some this may seem trivial or like a luxury, but for many including my husband surfing is a deep seated passion that not only keeps him healthy and happy but serves as a way to stay connected to our ‘aina and to a greater purpose. Without surfing he loses a part of himself. And as new parents to 9 month old twins we need daddy to be nourished and Waipi’o provides this for him.

Besides being a place of respite for me and my family, Waipi’o Valley continues to be a place for Hawaiians and Aloha ‘Āina to connect both culturally and spiritually. Waipi’o is laden with history and made famous not only for its captivating beauty, but also its long lineage of ali’i who’ve traversed the steep hillsides, as well as the ancient moolelo of Nanaue, Umi, and Kamehameha the Great. By taking away access to such a place—especially from Native Hawaiians— you take away a connection to our culture and eliminate place-based and hands-on learning opportunities that my husband and I use to teach our son about the history of his home and people, as well as limiting ocean access and opportunities for physical and mental health and well-being.

This closure is a great thing for the valley. Too many people coming and going is what put us into this position. Unfortunately it’s the local surf community that is suffering the consequences of this closure more than anyone else. Please, we humbly ask that you restore access to the local surf community. Offer an annual pass. Weʻd pay a fee and sign a waiver. Get a sticker that allows access to the shoreline and put our entry fees towards fixing the road. Do not allow rentals to drive down ever. Limit the surf passes to around 100 vehicles. The surf community of Waipi’o is a very tight-knit family. We value our access greatly and ask that you consider options that allow our community to remain intact. Thank you for listening.