Waipi’o is important to me because it is a place for my family and I go to relax, unwind, and enjoy the ocean as a family. Spending time with my family is extremely important to me. Over the last few years, the Hamakua is shrinking with beach access from Hakalau to Kolekole. We, as a family, are grateful for the valley and what it presents and what it provides to us and others. Please bring access to Waipi’o Valley back to residents.

My husband and I live in Paauilo Mauka and work full-time jobs at local schools. We also maintain our family homestead, so do not have a lot of free time. Other than Waipi‘o, there are no nearby areas to safely access the ocean as a family. Surfing for us is exercise, stress relief, and a way to strengthen relationships in the community. Accessing our local shoreline is a cultural and family practice and we feel it is important to share this with our daughter.

It’s a place my husband, our children, and myself have been going to all our lives. I was born here and raise here and the thought of never having access to it ever again is saddening. When I am down in the valley, I feel at peace, I feel grateful, I feel great love, I feel cleansed of negativity. It is a very special place…it is one on my favorite places. I had the opportunity of hiking to Hi’ilawe once with my family, and it was absolutely magical. I also had to opportunity to clean around the lo’i and look forward to working in the lo’i. My children learn about ancient Hawaii in Waipi’o in school and have a deeper appreciation for the place and all the stories that come with it. The thought of future children of hawaiian ancestry only being able to learn about Waipi’o from school (or not learning about it at all) and see and experience the valley themselves is heartbreaking.