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For Immediate Release
September 11, 2017

Board of Water Supply Hires Special Duty HPD to Deter Trespassing to Haiku Stairs

HONOLULU – The Board of Water Supply (BWS) recently hired special duty police officers to assist in preventing hikers from trespassing over private property while illegally accessing Haiku Stairs.

Since the middle of August, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) has had at least one special duty officer in the neighborhoods surrounding the illegal access trails to Haiku Stairs.

Trespassing has been a source of contention for the surrounding communities with reports of hikers climbing over and vandalizing fences, cutting through yards, using hoses without permission, and confronting residents.  Residents have also reported nuisance problems arising from hikers seeking to view the sunrise – arriving very early in the pre-dawn morning shining car lights into peoples’ homes, slamming car doors, and unacceptable noise levels disturbing the residents.

“We added this measure to mitigate the number of individuals attempting to reach this restricted area. BWS hopes that this expense and effort, along with a strong social media outreach and our security guard at the base of the stairs, will help reduce the volume of trespassing incidents. We appreciate the cooperation of HPD in this endeavor,” stated BWS Manager and Chief Engineer Ernest Lau.

A total of 631 people on foot or in vehicles have been deterred in the past month from accessing BWS properties. 9 citations were given out for various vehicle violations. Trespassers face citation, arrest, fines up to $1,000, community service (100+ hours) and jail time.

BWS recommends checking out hawaiitrails.org for state-maintained trails open to the public.

The BWS is currently in the process of drafting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will determine the future of the stairs. Along with their consultant G70, BWS is conducting outreach to government agencies, elected officials and community groups to solicit input for the draft. The draft is expected to be released in early 2018.

“The BWS is committed to evaluating each alternative thoroughly and providing an accessible process for public comment through small-group and public meetings with various agencies, landowners, community organizations, and individuals with an interest in this project,” Lau said.

“The BWS’s mission is to provide Oahu residents with a safe, dependable, and affordable water supply. Managing Haiku Stairs draws BWS staff, financial, and other resources away from our core mission to efficiently and effectively meet the water demand of our customers.”

For more information about the EIS process, please contact Jeffrey Overton of G70 at 523-5866.

For other questions regarding security at Haiku Stairs, please call Kathleen Pahinui at 748-5319.

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Contact:

Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui
Information Officer
Honolulu Board of Water Supply
Phone: (808) 748-5319