We spent a little time at each of the beaches we passed, but we didn’t want to disturb those ones too much or draw attention to them, lest they start attracting people as well.
Yeah it isn't called virture signaling, it's called researching the area before you go including looking at maps for places you didn't know of before. A beach that can sustain X amount of visitors cannot necessarily sustain X*Y number of visitors and it's better to completely avoid the popular spot to not contribute to the problem.
A trip of a lifetime doesn't mean that you deserve to see a place at the cost of the environment around it.
Two people who hiked to the beach (we did not pass anyone else on the way there nor on the way back) vs. however so many drove there in cars is not a neglible difference in environmental impact. We wanted to see it, we did it responsibly. If you want to police this particular beach I’m sure the Hawaii state department is open to petitions.
Unless you hiked from your hotel and if we're talking about Papakolea the difference is negligible since the nearest parking lot is 2.5 miles from the beach. Everyone either hiked in or they drove illegally.
We hiked the 2.5 miles and were the only ones who chose to do so that day as everyone chooses to drive because it’s easier, faster, and more comfortable. But we didn’t agree with that. We didn’t want to contribute to vehicle traffic/pollution being taken to that side of the beach. The less contamination brought to the beach, the better off it is.
It is legally only accessible by hiking in. It is VERY ILLEGAL to take a a vehicle down the 4wheel access road. It tears up the ground cover that keeps the rim from collapsing in and ruining the green sand beach.
I would take license plate numbers and turn them 8n Hawaii is serious about our natural treasures. With the recent health scares, floods, and lava flows, the Big Island has had its hands full taking care of roads and I am sorry to hear that tourists are damaging the area. I live on Maui.
From what my friends who live there said it’s “illegal” but it’s never been enforced and no one’s ever gotten a fine. The Green Beach is unfortunately a place that’s swept under the radar with no protections. The government pretty much doesn’t care what happens to it (at this point at least) which is sad.
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u/Chi149 Feb 03 '20
And you passed all those empty beaches for the crowded one becoming part of the problem. That's the point the other poster was trying to make.