"Public Access — Private Restrictions..." Michael Herr' (Aloha Friday)

Renowned author Michael Herr is back on this awesome Aloha Friday talking about  boundaries... Make sure and check out Michael's website at; http://www.michaelherr.com/

  This is a sign that can be seen many places on The Garden Island... Places that were once free to hike, play, fish and  roam are now being blocked...

ALOHA FRIDAY

September 9

It's Aloha Friday.

Public Access — Private Restrictions

A long time ago in Hawaii many visitors to the islands thought that the largest landowner in the islands was a Mister Kapu. They thought this because everywhere you went out into the countryside or along the ocean you saw fences with this sign posted on them "KAPU — Keep Out".

Locals, however, knew that Kapu was a Hawaiian word meaning that something was forbidden or prohibited.

Mostly "Kapu" signs have been replaced with signs proclaiming "No Trespassing". And those signs have been a major source of contention, not only in Hawaii but along the coast of California. There the California Coastal Commission has been somewhat successful in requiring landowners to make provision for access to the coast.

Nowadays many of those signs have been put up by those with enough money to buy a piece of land fronting the coast. And while the beach, up to the high tide mark, has been declared public property, the access to those beaches has been cut off by many of these landowners. In some places landowners have, sometimes with government urging, provided access paths across their property down to the beaches. Some hotels, despite their gated entrances, have been forced to provide parking and a certain number of access permits each day to those who want to visit their beaches.

Other landowners have dug in their heels and fought to keep people from walking across their land. Ignoring the fact that the ocean belongs to all. In Hawaii the vast majority of those who seek access, who seek the ocean that nourished them all their life, do not have the money or the knowledge of law that would help them fight for their rights. They must rely instead on lawyers willing to work pro bono and on groups willing to represent the interests of the many against the few.

Kapu or No Trespassing . . . either command needs to be given with due consideration to the needs and rights of people who, sometimes for generations, have enjoyed access to an area or an activity. And in deciding who shall have access, the spirit of Aloha must prevail.

Much aloha.

check out Michael's website at http://www.michaelherr.com/  buy all six books for only $18

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