Probably one of the most historically important trails on Maui is also probably the one least known and is certainly the one most at risk of never being walked on by the public again.
Haleakala Trail runs from the top of Olinda to the Haleakala Crater rim across land owned by Haleakala Ranch and the National Park Service. The trail was the Hawaiians’ traditional path into the crater and was later adopted by Westerners. In fact, before the opening of Haleakala Highway, thousands of tourists and other adventure seekers, including Mark Twain, reached the top of the crater via Haleakala Trail.
In the early 1900s, the Territory of Hawaii budgeted and expended government funds to survey and improve the trail. Based on this and other information, the state’s own abstractors and attorneys have over the years written a number of internal opinions concluding that Haleakala Trail is a public trail that is owned by the state.
However, for more than 70 years, Haleakala Ranch has denied the public access and claimed the trail as its own, and the state has done nothing about it. At the beginning of this year, Public Access Trails Hawaii (PATH), a 501(c)(3) public charity, whose mission is building community ties by connecting people and places through trails, urban paths and bikeways, decided it was time to do something about it. PATH and some other plaintiffs, on behalf of the people of Hawaii, sued Haleakala Ranch and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources demanding that the trail be reopened.
Can you guess the state’s position? It filed a motion to dismiss all of PATH’s claims. The state acerbically begins its brief this way: “With all due respect, plaintiffs do not run the executive branch of the State of Hawaii.” This is the executive branch of Gov. Neil Abercrombie, the man we just elected to run the state and protect our rights. The man who said he was there for us.
So what exactly is Abercrombie’s position? Does he really want to support Haleakala Ranch by dismissing PATH’s efforts to reopen the trail for the public? The state’s motion to dismiss will be heard in court May 11. Between now and then maybe Abercrombie just needs to hear from his ultimate employers – us. This should be one of his priorities. Contact him by phone toll-free at (808) 984-2400, ext. 62211, or email hawaii.gov/go/contact.
Here are a few things you can mention to him:
* The state owns the trail; Haleakala Ranch doesn’t. Why should we permit a private corporation to use a state thoroughfare and deny the public access?
* There are economic benefits. Right now, the mantra is “it’s all about the economy.” Why do people come to Hawaii? They come for recreational, historical and cultural amenities, like Haleakala Trail. Failing to deal with this issue now hurts the state’s economy.
* Not all of us are couch potatoes. Sure, you can get to the top in your air-conditioned car, but many of us would prefer to travel the path adopted by our ancestors. Reaching the top that way will mean so much more for us. And it would be more healthy and better for the environment, with less demand on numerous public services.
* It’s pono. The state’s motto is “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” The state can either support PATH’s efforts to return this trail to the people or permit Haleakala Ranch to continue squatting on state land. One is right and will nurture life; the other is most certainly wrong and will kill our spirit.
For more information on Haleakala Trail, as well as ways you can help save Haleakala Trail, including volunteering or financial support, go to the website pathmaui.org or send email to info@pathmaui.org.
* Dave Brown is a founding board member of Public Access Trails Hawaii, a Maui advisory member of Na Ala Hele, and an avid hiker. He lives in Waihee.