At Canyon's Edge

Perspectives from a Pacific island

How to sustain Koke’e – or any park – in the 21st Century?

By Marsha Erickson, Executive Director

Now that “the cabin issue” has moved towards resolution, it’s time to squarely face the future of Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Parks by moving forward on the multi-year process to complete a Master Plan for these parks.

For Hui o Laka, celebrating its 55th year of continuous service to the parks and all who love and use them, it is the moment at which we boldly envision our service into the next half century.

The very lively Master Planning process brought one solid agreement from all interested groups in the end: All are agreed that protecting “the essence of Koke‘e” must be the foundational motivation for any park improvements. The contribution of the “Save Koke’e” group was to elevate the discussion about Koke’e to the level of spiritual values, not dollars.

At the same time, the State of Hawaii finds itself at a turning point in administration of the lands it is charged with stewarding, including the jewels of Hawai’i’s State Parks system, Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Parks.

After almost three decades of defered maintainance and steadily declining operating budgets, DLNR-State Parks Division stands at the same precipice we all do: a worldwide economic downturn at a time of great need. The most recent budget restrictions imposed by the State may soon lead to actual layoffs from an already skeletal State Parks crew.

It’s a wonder that under such conditions the parks are in as good shape as they are. It is no wonder that administration officials look at the “income potential” of the parks. Where else will the money come from, they are asking?

In the meantime, the community is determined that these sacred uplands will never be turned into “cash cows.”

Still, the question is unavoidable: how will we sustain our State Parks into an uncertain future? The State of California is on the verge of just closing down its entire State Parks system. Yikes!

Dialogue and creative thinking among all who love Koke’e is a community priority. We must identify all threats to these parks, which go far beyond commercialization and buses-or-no-buses at Kalalau. What about FIRE? Kauai‘i has not escaped global warming. Every State forester knows those eucalyptus-rich groves on the western slopes of Koke’e are getting dryer and dryer. Scientists are saying our rain forest will recede. What does that mean for Kaua’i’s watershed? In the meantime, weeds along trails, in the swamp, along roadsides, contiue to grow.

The point of all these converging factors is simple: there is NO time to fight, no time at all. We must proceed directly to solutions or there will be no parks, no Koke’e, to save. As we proceed to solutions, we hear Laka’s voice above all the rest:

E Laka I ka loaa!

E laka I ka waiwai!

“Giver of the gift! Giver of bounty!”

Bounty, wealth, sustainability was and is Laka’s province. These parks, uplifted by community support and creative partnering with government can sustain themselves without eroding the spirit of the forests.

As we face the next 50 years, let us not confuse “income generation” with “commercialization.” They are not equivalent. Were it not for “income generation” in the Koke’e Museum Shop, Hui o Laka could never have provided 55 years of service to the parks. Income can be generated by providing much needed services and educational products in an isolated park setting in tasteful and appropriate ways.

And when it comes to sustainability, factor in the volunteer. In the future that is upon us, parks must be maintained by the communities who love and use them, or they won’t be maintained at all. If you love these mountain parks and want to save them, jump on board. Volunteer – Kokua Koke’e!

Note: At Canyon’s edge is an occasional column written by guest writers as well as Hui o Laka’s Executive Director. Submit your perspective for consideration to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .