Kailua Beach plan addresses sand problem
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KAILUA — A new master plan for Kailua Beach Park calls for improvements that include reconfiguring the park behind Kalapawai Market, improving the picnic area and possibly expanding parking.
Kailua Beach Park, which straddles Kaelepulu Stream, had renovations on the Lanikai side several years ago that included a walkway, pavilion, canoe halau, better restrooms and landscaping for about $1 million.
Now the city wants to complete the renovation and will propose options at a community meeting.
The plan will address the sand problem. For years, drifting sand has regularly covered the grass and parking lot. Snow fences and naupaka bushes are holding off the drifts but a more permanent solution will be offered, said Don Griffin of the city Department of Design and Construction. "The primary objective of the whole project is to correct that sand drift," Griffin said. He said heavy landscaping may keep sand from building up any more."
The area of improvement encompasses the park behind Kalapawai Market, the canoe storage and training area mauka of the park and the parking lot at Buzz's Original Steak House that is part of the park.
The community will have an opportunity to review and comment on the Kailua Beach Park master plan at a meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. April 15 at the Kailua District Park Multipurpose Room.
The road through the park will be straightened and the sailboard operations may get a permanent spot, said Griffin.
Community input sought
At least one Kailua Beach user said she didn't think the beach needed improvement and that the money could be used to solve other problems.
Michelle Sharp, 31, of Honolulu, said she comes to the beach several times a month and likes it the way it is, except on weekends when parking is a problem.
"I think they should spend the money for park improvements or public-school textbooks," Sharp said, while studying at Kailua Beach Wednesday morning.
Belt Collins Hawai'i Ltd. is creating the plan and also conducting a traffic study, said Duane Samson, of the Kailua Neighborhood Board. The plans will have suggestions about the stream as well, he said.
Dianne Mata of Kane'ohe, who was at Kailua Beach with her granddaughter, said improving the beach, making it more functional and appealing for Hawai'i residents should be the primary goal.
"The tourist will enjoy it no matter what," Mata said. "The tourists just love our beaches."
Griffin said the city would like to expand parking, but "it's still up to the community on what they would like." He said people should attend the meeting and makes their opinions known.
