I am 17, and I grew up in Honokaa. Waipi’o is where my brother and I learned to swim, learned to respect the ocean, and learned about the spiritual and cultural aspects of the land. I think that for the youth of our community, the valley teaches us about ourselves and makes us better people. The kids of Honokaa are nurtured by the waters of Waipi’o and I feel that there is a large community of people who will suffer if the valley is restricted. I also feel that we can create a compromise to ensure that the Valley and the community is well cared for. Mahalo!

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.

Waipi’o is a sacred place. I like to surf and bodyboard, play in the river, build sand castles and skim board on the sand.