Posted on: Monday, October 7, 2002

Kaua'i park vendors relocated

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Curio and jewelry vendors at the Spouting Horn park have been ordered out of their vending booths while the county works on the park.

The vendors had been operating without contracts with the county since June. The county was scheduled to open bids for concessions at the park last week, with contracts to be awarded effective Nov. 7.

After an outcry about the closing, the county said it will offer the vendors who have been county concessionaires temporary permits to set up sales areas in the lawn area near the booths.

The construction work, to be completed by Nov. 5, is designed to bring the park up to the standards required by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

It will make parking areas, drinking fountains and bathrooms accessible to people who use wheelchairs.

The temporary permits for vendors will be valid through Nov. 7. Spaces will be issued by random drawing.

"We need to keep Spouting Horn safe during the construction so we are making the temporary concession stalls available only to experienced vendors that existed at the site as of Sept. 30, since they know the area well," said Mayor Maryanne Kusaka.