Banyan Networks was recently provided an opportunity to work with Waimea Valley to improve their two-way radio communications network. Waimea Valley is an ahupua‘a (land division) located on the north shore of Oahu in the heart of Hale‘iwa. Waimea Valley is managed by a native Hawaiian non-profit 501(c)3 organization named Hi‘ipaka, LLC. Its mission is to preserve and perpetuate the human, cultural, and natural resources of Waimea for generations through education and stewardship.
Waimea Valley employs over 70 staff and more than 70 contracted employees assisting approximately 1,200 visitors daily. With such a large number of visitors, school education programs, conservation volunteer activities, transportation coordination, and more, Waimea Valley relies heavily on clear and reliable communication.
Waimea Valley Executive Director, Richard Pezzulo said, “The new communication system installed by Banyan provides clear and reliable communication which is essential to keeping our staff and visitors safe.”
Due to Waimea Valley’s location between two deep valleys and the lush vegetation, the organization uses its two-way radios to communicate constantly. Throughout the day, the retail and visitor services department manages tour group arrivals, shuttle arrivals and departures, and parking flow from the entrance of the Valley which is located about half a mile away from the Visitor Center. The lifeguards located at the natural rain-fed waterfall about one mile away from the main administration area also use radios to communicate. The conservation department planting native plants and restoring the native forests can go up on distant ridges and back into the Valley for several miles.
With such a large footprint, growing staff, and multiple activities throughout the Valley, it was clear to Waimea Valley’s leadership team that a reliable radio system was needed to help improve communication between staff throughout the Valley to benefit the safety of those enjoying and working in the valley.
Waimea Valley selected Banyan Networks after researching which company would best be able to provide for the unique needs of Waimea Valley. After being selected, Banyan Networks decided to provide a $5,500 in-kind donation because of the Valley’s unique situation, non-profit status, and its commitment to the community.
Prior to implementation, Banyan Networks’ unique solution was first modeled by experienced RF and structural engineers. The solution for Waimea Valley includes multiple Motorola digital repeaters, new radios, and a custom solar array and radio solution on a high ridge above the Valley without vehicle access, necessitating the use of a helicopter to transport heavy equipment.
“We are honored to be working with Waimea Valley to improve their radio system and provide more reliable communications for their employees and staff. Being a Hawaii-based organization, Banyan Networks fully supports Waimea Valley’s mission of preserving cultural and natural resources through education and stewardship,” said Larry Dietrick, President of Banyan Networks.
