closure of Koko Crater Stairs?

I found this in my email. There is a protest at 5pm this afternoon at the base of the trail.

A firing range takes precedence over a hiking trail? How many people hike and how many people shoot weapons? The two recreational sites have co-existed for so long.

This is crazy! The state is closing access to Koko Crater Stairs!!! What other access points are they going to close next?

Please pass this on and be at the protest!!! Grrrrr

Read below...

> From:
> Subject: URGENT!!! - Civil Protest in Hawai'i Kai Today!
> Date: February 15, 2008 11:13:58 AM HST
> To:
>
> Dear Representative Ward,
>
> Today (2/15/08), the state put up permanent (metal with underground
>
> concrete base) closure signs at the entrance to the Koko Creater
> summit trail (the one with the tracks).
> The signs state the presence of live fire (from the nearby firing
> range) as the reason.
>
> It would be reassuring if you would show up to our civil protest at
>
> 5pm this afternoon at the base of the trail.
>
> We are attempting to get the Advertiser (a daily hiker of this
> trail
> is an employee) and a local television(s) station to show up.
>
> We understand that this can't be resolved any time soon, but we
> just
> want to get the word out and get the community involved in matters
> like this.
>
> It's unfortunate that a firing range near a model community like
> Hawai'i Kai can take away something so beautiful and beloved from
> health conscious
> and nature-loving families.
>
> Mahalo for your time and hope to see you this afternoon.
>
> N. Kurosawa
> Hawai'i Kai resident since 1970 (when there were still farms!)

Submitted by keizo on Fri, 02/15/2008 - 3:13pm