Читать книгу Oahu Trails - Kathy Morey - Страница 15
ОглавлениеGetting Permits or Permission
Dayhiking permits
The trip descriptions in this book include information about what permits you need (if any) and to whom you should apply for them.
There is no backpacking to speak of on Oahu for the visitor from the mainland (and not much for anyone else, either—see). You don’t need to worry about or plan for backpacking and backcountry camping permits on Oahu.
Several dayhikes do require permits from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. You must go into downtown Honolulu to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife to get those permits. Depending on the trail, the Division of Forestry and Wildlife is acting as the agent for hiking trails under its own control or it may be acting on behalf of another property owner or owners.
Any hike on private or military property is subject to the owner’s wishes, and an owner may decide at any time to require permits or even to deny access altogether. To be absolutely sure your hiking plans won’t be foiled by such a change of heart, call ahead if possible. Check the trip descriptions for whom to call, if anyone. (And if you find a route closed, please let me know, too.)
A few dayhikes require permission from several owners. Your vacation time is too valuable to waste running around trying to get multiple permits from different landowners, so I’ve left these hikes out. See Appendix B for more details. Note that you may be able to take these dayhikes with organized groups whose leaders will coordinate the getting of permits, thus saving you the trouble. See Appendix C for a list of organized groups that offer hikes.
Camping permits
Car and cabin camping are the only kinds of camping available to visitors, for all practical purposes. Appendix A in this book gives you detailed information about camping, including permit requirements, fees, etc.
Hikers enjoying the Kaunala Loop (Trip 45)
Why no backpacks?
Trail camping doesn’t exist in Oahu’s state parks. That leaves the Division of Forestry and Wildlife trails. Nearly all Division of Forestry and Wildlife trails are in hunting areas. Camping is permitted along some trails provided you have a permit from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. In my judgment, this is to accommodate hunters rather than backpackers. There are also a very few trail shelters intended for use by hunters. These areas may be attractive for dayhiking, but I saw nothing to recommend them for backpacking, especially to visitors, who have the extra hassle of bringing their backpacking equipment, too.
Let’s face it: While Oahu’s dayhiking opportunities are second to none, for high-quality Hawaiian backpacking opportunities, Oahu has nothing to offer compared to the other major islands: Maui, Hawaii (the Big Island), and Kauai.
Information and resources
Division of State Parks
Dayhiking in Oahu’s state parks does not require permits as of this writing. Car camping or use of the cabins in a state park does require a permit and sometimes a fee. See Appendix A in this book. For more information, write or call:
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of State Parks, Oahu District
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 310
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
(808) 587-0300, FAX (808) 587-0311
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
As noted above, hiking some trails requires permits from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. For information from this agency, write or call:
Department of Land and Natural Resources
Division of Forestry and Wildlife
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
(808) 587-0166, FAX (808) 587-0160
If you need to see the division in person—and you must if you want to obtain hiking permits—double-check the lobby directory for their current office number.
Useful websites
See the chapter on “Hiking on the Capital Isle,” beginning, for a list of useful websites. In particular, see the website for the Department of Land and Natural Resources, www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/divisions.html, to double-check on the latest addresses and voice/fax numbers.
