Posted on: Thursday, April 28, 2005
Kaua'i dream path evolving
By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau
KEALIA, Kaua'i — The county is slowly bringing its dream of a world-class 20-mile coastal trail down the island's eastern shore to fruition.
Jan TenBruggencate • The Honolulu Advertiser The stunning vistas along what's being called Ke Ala Hele Makalae include whales leaping offshore, white sand beaches, black rock points, coastal cliffs and shorelines shaded by ironwoods and palms.
The coast route faces the trade winds, running down the eastern shore of the island, linking the big sandy bays of Anahola, Kealia, Wailua, Hanama'ulu and Nawiliwili Bay. Much of the route already is in county control, but significant portions still need to be acquired. About half is on old plantation sugar cane road rights of way.
When completed, the uninterrupted coastal walkway will be unique in Hawai'i and arguably in the world, said Douglas Haigh, chief of the county building division.
Donnell said she enjoys the lack of traffic on the overgrown former cane road, even with its potholes and collapsed sections.
"I don't really want to change it. I mean, do you see anybody else out here? But it's the next step," she said.
Kealia Kai developers Thomas and Bonnie McCloskey and Justin and Michelle Hughest donated 66.3 acres of coastal land to the county, whose value was used in place of matching dollars to acquire the $12 million Federal Highway Administration grant that is being used to pay for the next improvements.
Haigh said the Hawaiian Homes Commission this week approved an easement though Hawaiian Homes land that will extend Ke Ala Hele Makalae from Kuna Bay north about two miles to the Anahola Beach Park.
The concept has been built by the community, including Mayor Bryan Baptiste, former mayor Maryanne Kusaka, representatives of businesses, the tourism industry, nonprofits, economic development officials and residents. Some see it as a guarantee that residents always will have uninterrupted access to the island's eastern shore, while others envision the trail as a major attraction for visitors.
The next public meeting on the project is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 11 at the Kapa'a Middle School cafetorium.
It will be years before it is complete. The only complete portion, a 2.3-mile section south of Wailua Beach along Lydgate Park, has been paved in concrete.
The county has just issued a $12 million contract to Jas. W. Glover Ltd. to design and build a 4.3-mile pathway from the Kapa'a boat ramp area called the Lihi to Kuna Bay. It should be completed by the end of 2006.
The 12-foot-wide path will be built of concrete and asphalt for pedestrians and bicyclers, with a dirt section north of Kealia for horses. The contract also includes building four bridges and installing picnic facilities and restrooms — one at the Lihi, a second at Kealia Beach and a third at the Kealia Kai parking lot.
The latest milestones are a $12 million contract to improve 4.3 miles from Kapa'a to Kuna Bay and an agreement with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for an easement from Kuna Bay to Anahola Beach Park.
Kuna Bay, also known as Donkey Beach, lies near the northern end of a planned 20-mile coastal pathway from Nawiliwili to Anahola.
"I come here to walk my dogs, and I swim down at Kealia. Today I was watching the whales," said Christina Donnell of Kapahi, who was walking yesterday on the next section of the area to be improved.
Christina Donnell
As the crow flies, it's about 12 miles from Anahola south to Nawiliwili Bay, but following the coast, the route extends to near 20 miles, Haigh said.
