Comments on: Wailua & Ke'anae Valley Hike http://mauiguidebook.com/adventures/wailua-valley-hike/ Maui Guidebook Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:02:39 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Walker http://mauiguidebook.com/adventures/wailua-valley-hike/comment-page-1/#comment-163 Walker Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:18:26 +0000 http://smartmaui.com/wp/?p=297#comment-163 A lot of good points, and the contact info and waiver suggestions for EMI are great suggestions for everyone venturing on EMI leased or owned land. Many would argue (I believe correctly) that EMI does not have the right to restrict access to State and County owned lands where it only leases the public water rights. Practically the entire East Maui watershed would become EMI property - which it most definitely is not. Thanks for taking the time to share this info because one of the moist important purposes I'm trying to accomplish with mauiguidebook.com are to educate on the safety, cultural, environmental, and local respect issues that Maui Revealed and other sources carelessly omit - and to give everyone a voice to be herd at the same volume. I'm really counting on folks like you sharing their understanding. There are also several places linked form this page that all readers should read - your comment touches on them also (flash floods, ditch system, etc) and has important information to take into consideration. If possible, I'd really like you to take this specific hike and comment back here - I don't believe this hike holds any dangers above and beyond what visitors could expect at any waterfall or stream until several miles in. At this point I would assume we only have experienced hikers making it that far, and the dangers are clear and not hidden (ie. climbing up the pali, etc.) A lot of good points, and the contact info and waiver suggestions for EMI are great suggestions for everyone venturing on EMI leased or owned land. Many would argue (I believe correctly) that EMI does not have the right to restrict access to State and County owned lands where it only leases the public water rights. Practically the entire East Maui watershed would become EMI property – which it most definitely is not.

Thanks for taking the time to share this info because one of the moist important purposes I’m trying to accomplish with mauiguidebook.com are to educate on the safety, cultural, environmental, and local respect issues that Maui Revealed and other sources carelessly omit – and to give everyone a voice to be herd at the same volume. I’m really counting on folks like you sharing their understanding.

There are also several places linked form this page that all readers should read – your comment touches on them also (flash floods, ditch system, etc) and has important information to take into consideration.

If possible, I’d really like you to take this specific hike and comment back here – I don’t believe this hike holds any dangers above and beyond what visitors could expect at any waterfall or stream until several miles in. At this point I would assume we only have experienced hikers making it that far, and the dangers are clear and not hidden (ie. climbing up the pali, etc.)

]]> By: Locals Perspective http://mauiguidebook.com/adventures/wailua-valley-hike/comment-page-1/#comment-162 Locals Perspective Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:49:22 +0000 http://smartmaui.com/wp/?p=297#comment-162 This seems to be one of those examples of tantalizing hidden mysteries of Maui with compelling descriptions of stunning vistas, etc. ... but not nearly enough emphasis on full disclosure, safety, Kapu or trespassing & privacy issues. Depending on the time of the year and recent rainfall, several areas mentioned along this hike could be very dangerous. Flash floods can occur with no warning from rain clouds you can't see, caught on the upper reaches of Haleakala. EMI does have a system in place to grant official permission to hike in certain areas of their leased land, but that system is set up to protect the company from liability - not to protect you if you get injured or killed. The Sierra Club lists the following as required procedure: EMI will allow some to hike across certain sections of the leased land so long as each hiker has a waiver, carrying it with them during the hike. An EMI WAIVER IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED. Call in your waiver request to Jackie at 579-9516 well in advance [5 days prior] and MAKE an appointment - at a time that is convenient for her - then go by the office to sign the waiver and get your copy. The Pa'ia office is at 497 Baldwin Avenue. There are Sierra Club hike leaders who can serve as safety and informed local access guides. Call them to see if they cover this area, or have recommendations about it - 808-573-4147. Connecting with the Sierra Club may be the best, safest and most respectful way to handle hikes through areas such as this. And absolutely do not wander into or too near the EMI ditches, culverts, tunnels, pipes or flumes - most of which were constructed between 1876 and 1923. Keep yourself and your friends and family safe. No matter what some residents might choose, i.e., ignoring No Trespassing signs, either in protest against EMI and the ongoing disputes and legal battles, or out of ignorance, or simply for their own convenience, your safety is paramount. This seems to be one of those examples of tantalizing hidden mysteries of Maui with compelling descriptions of stunning vistas, etc. … but not nearly enough emphasis on full disclosure, safety, Kapu or trespassing & privacy issues.
Depending on the time of the year and recent rainfall, several areas mentioned along this hike could be very dangerous. Flash floods can occur with no warning from rain clouds you can’t see, caught on the upper reaches of Haleakala.
EMI does have a system in place to grant official permission to hike in certain areas of their leased land, but that system is set up to protect the company from liability – not to protect you if you get injured or killed. The Sierra Club lists the following as required procedure: EMI will allow some to hike across certain sections of the leased land so long as each hiker has a waiver, carrying it with them during the hike. An EMI WAIVER IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED. Call in your waiver request to Jackie at 579-9516 well in advance [5 days prior] and MAKE an appointment – at a time that is convenient for her – then go by the office to sign the waiver and get your copy. The Pa’ia office is at 497 Baldwin Avenue.
There are Sierra Club hike leaders who can serve as safety and informed local access guides. Call them to see if they cover this area, or have recommendations about it – 808-573-4147. Connecting with the Sierra Club may be the best, safest and most respectful way to handle hikes through areas such as this.
And absolutely do not wander into or too near the EMI ditches, culverts, tunnels, pipes or flumes – most of which were constructed between 1876 and 1923. Keep yourself and your friends and family safe. No matter what some residents might choose, i.e., ignoring No Trespassing signs, either in protest against EMI and the ongoing disputes and legal battles, or out of ignorance, or simply for their own convenience, your safety is paramount.

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