Kaua'i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. has decided that a planned multi-use coastal path on the island's eastern side should extend along Wailua Beach, a route opposed by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and some other Native Hawaiians who consider Wailua Beach sacred.

Protesters held a 24-hour vigil near the beach Nov. 13.

The Sierra Club's Kaua'i group also opposes the beach path. A statement from the group says constructing the path there would be environmentally and procedurally wrong.

Carvalho said the potential impact to remains of Native Hawaiians is less significant along the route closest to the ocean.