40 years ago, Pat Metheny & Lyle Mays collorated on “As Falls Wichita, So Falls Wichita Falls”, an ambient jazz album. As an homage, this editorial’s called “As Falls Maunawili, So Falls Maunawili Falls”. After all, there’ve been lots of falls lately around Maunawili Falls… but that might be ending for now.
“Might” because people who really want to go somewhere, explore, climb, take pictures, and even muck it up, have found a way to do so for years. For reference, please see the Ko`olau Stairway to Heaven as another prime example.
Maunawili Falls is officially closed for two years; let’s watch how obedient visitors and locals alike are to this edict. Over the past month, the site has seen a serious back injury, a right knee injury require airlifting, and a young man seriously injured after falling from the Maunawili Trail. Add the repeated tales of trash being left behind, flora being crushed, parking issues, visitors availing themselves of residents’ outdoor hoses, and well, you can see that something had to give.
And “give” is a vital concept here, as tourism officials are talking about ways of giving education to visitors, asking people to be respectful of those many places and sites that make Hawai`i such a travel magnet. Thus, the next question might be: will anyone (or everyone) listen to these sincere requests, which will undoubtedly be handled local style- with aloha.
Or will the response be: “hey, I forked over thousands of dollars and flew thousands of miles, so I’ll do what I want, how I want.” Sound harsh? Reference the response to requests for people to wear masks and get vaccinated over the past 18-months. All that was meant to do was save lives. And still, angry people felt provoked, have avoided complying, and thus deaths plus long-term COVID-19 ailments (unnecessary with the advent of vaccinations) continue to pile up.
In “Dirty Dancing”, Patrick Swayze reminded Jennifer Grey’s stern father that, “nobody puts Baby (Grey) in a corner”, as he escorts her onto the stage. It seems like nowadays far too many feel cornered or scolded, even when facts and reality appear to be on the side of those doing the asking. Hopefully, the environs of Maunawili, its trails, and pool will heal over time. Even with kapu signs, compliance will require dutiful restraint from self-anointed freedom-seekers for this plan to work.
Think about it…