Let's all remember that the trail was "closed" once before
Just to clarify, was the trail ever really open? I know it's been used by hikers as long as I can remember (lived in Hawaii Kai since the late 70's), but to my knowledge and from what's been discussed here I was under the impression it's not sanctioned and may still be considered trespassing, officially... So I find it funny we, or at least some of the folks here on 2A, have to treat the subject of hiking Koko Crater with kid gloves. If we the tax payer are paying for people to be rescued from an "illegal" hike then we do have a valid argument.
As far as the frequency of rescues off the crater? I often see the helo up there, almost on a weekly basis. I'm sure there are rescues that happen without the need for HFD's helo as well. One of the guys I'm flying with here is a former rescue captain so I'll ask him at some point this week, I'll also ask my other friend who's one of the Air 1 pilots once I'm back home. He's already said they've had to fly several hops up the crater, sometimes twice in one day.
Anyway, I understand the concern people have over what can happen, and the tit-for-tat appearance of this particular argument. But really, if public safety is such a concern, our community leaders should either sanction that trail (going through all the hoopla required to do so) or REALLY close it.
As always, IMHO

Boomah