Aloha!

OLAPA - Open Lands and Public Access Alliance is a collaboration of like-minded organizations (Sierra Club, PATH, Kona Hiking Club, E Mau Na Ala Hele, as well as numerous smaller local groups and individuals) that are working to secure managed public access and open space preservation on Hawaii island for a variety of reasons ranging from recreation, subsistence (hunting/fishing), non-motorized transportation, culturally-based practices and environmental stewardship, among others.  It is OLAPA’s hope that lasting improvements can be made through collective action.

Our Mission is to:

Secure the conservation, management and protection of community greenways, cultural and natural resources, open spaces and public access through community action, education, and legislation.

Our Purposes are:

1. To share information and educate the members of our groups on conservation and trails/access issues

2. To identify common concerns and collaborate on projects and legislation

3. To influence elected representatives to enact legislation and improve existing laws regarding land conservation and trails/access

4. To encourage collective action and shared kuleana (responsibility) for access and open space in need of management and care

5. To work with government agencies, communities, and land owners to establish trail/access routes and preserve open spaces

6. To secure complete streets for our communities that will enable safe, attractive, convenient and comfortable access and travel for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transportation uses.

For additional information, please refer to the `OLAPA website, www.olapa.org. Our website is a work in progress. We hope to develop it into a valuable, thought-provoking resource. We also hope to inspire more participation in OLAPA which, like any group, relies on the strength of its membership.

To be placed on the `OLAPA email list, . We will email you reminders of our general membership meetings and relevant announcements. We intend to use our website to keep people informed, rather than relying on email.

To learn more about OLAPA and/or our plans and projects, we welcome and encourage you to attend one of our meetings – usually held in the Waimea area on a quarterly basis.

Mahalo!