UPDATED (3/9/2018)

DOCARE Officers catch man again at Diamond Head State Monument

(HONOLULU) – One day after Christopher P. Barclay was cited by officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), he was arrested at Diamond Head State Monument on a 2015 bench warrant for failure to appear. The charge in that case was for Soliciting and Sales on DLNR land.

Barclay was cited by DOCARE officers yesterday at the top of Diamond Head after being observed selling “hike accomplishment” certificates to visitors for five dollars apiece. Research into his background revealed the 2015 bench warrant and several other related cases earlier. DLNR State Parks Division Administrator Curt Cottrell said, “This individual was extremely argumentative when cited yesterday and despite previous citations he’s continued to thumb his nose at the law.” Under administrative rules commercial activities on State Parks land is not allowed without written permission.

It’s alleged that Barclay solicited business by setting up a vendor station and offering certificates to people who’d successfully ascended Diamond Head crater. After law enforcement officials learned of his outstanding warrant for the same type of activity, they guessed he might show up at Diamond Head State Monument again today. He was arrested about 9 a.m. Officers say it appeared he was starting to hike back up the mountain. Barclay was taken to the Honolulu Police Department for booking. He faces the possibility of both criminal and civil penalties associated with yesterday’s citation and criminal penalties associated with the earlier failure to appear warrant.

MEDIA RELEASE

A man sells unpermitted certificates at Diamond Head and was cited by DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE) officers Thursday (March 8). DLNR Photo.

(HONOLULU) – Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE) cited Christopher P. Barclay on top of Diamond Head today, for soliciting and selling certificates without a required state permit for commercial activities.

Division of State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell joined the DOCARE officers and read a cease and desist order to Barclay. It claims Barclay uses the flat surface of one of the bunkers at the summit as a table for commercial activity. It further alleges the man collects cash and misrepresents that the proceeds help keep the park clean. Additionally, it alleges that Barclay misleads hikers into believing he is a State Parks employee or somehow represents the State.

A man sells unpermitted certificates at Diamond Head and was cited by DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE) officers Thursday (March 8). DLNR Photo.

Cottrell said, “We’ve heard from numerous people over the course of several years who have asked the State to shut this activity down. We have very specific rules regarding who can conduct commercial activities in State Parks and under what circumstances. Bottom line, any commercial activity does require a permit and Mr. Barclay has consistently refused to seek one.” Diamond Head State Monument has one approved vendor for selling logo items, which is done mostly from a kiosk at the foot of the iconic mountain.

Barclay was observed asking for a five dollar per certificate donation from people who reach the top of the rim. He could face criminal and/or civil penalties that would be heard in court and by the Board of Land and Natural Resources respectively. The charge against Barclay is only an allegation until the court or the BLNR issues a ruling which is six to eight weeks away.

Video courtesy of DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE)