A popular, but eroding, hiking trail on Kaua'i's Na Pali Coast will get $1 million in repairs over the next few years.

The Kaua'i Planning and Action Alliance Inc. will seek a contractor to repair the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail — from Ke'e Beach to Hanakapi'ai Beach — as soon as possible, alliance president Diane Zachary said.

The work will not close the trail.

The state grant allocating the funding was released last week by Gov. Linda Lingle.

The alliance also was awarded $220,000 for improvements to the Civilian Conservation Corps Camp in Koke'e State Park on Kaua'i.

The alliance will coordinate with the State Parks Division, which oversees Napali Coast State Wilderness Park and Koke'e State Park, and the Koke'e conservation group Hui O Laka in seeking proposals from potential contractors, Zachary said.

The Parks Division, which is part of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, lacks the staff and funding to do the work, a spokeswoman said.

The Legislature approved a $1.2 million grant-in-aid for the projects in 2007, Zachary said. "We were thrilled" to hear the funds had been released, she said.

Though the rest of the the 11-mile Kalalau Trail has erosion and drainage problems, the first part of the trail is the most heavily used, Zachary said.

"The trail is very muddy, particularly at some times of the year, because drainage is insufficient. They'll be putting in water channels and stone work in some areas, so it's not just a muddy trail," Zachary said. "It's the largest project there in quite a long time, if not ever."

At Koke'e, 11 wood-framed structures at the Conservation Corps Camp will get electrical, plumbing and carpentry repairs. Also, the historic rock walls there will be stabilized. The buildings are used for community and educational events.

"The partnership between the state and nonprofit Kaua'i Planning and Action Alliance supports our collaborative effort with the community and private sector to upgrade our state parks, enhance safety, provide more enriching and satisfying experiences for residents and visitors, and strengthen natural and cultural resource management efforts," Lingle said in a news release.

Seeking ways the community can help improve state and county park facilities on Kaua'i has been one focus of the Kaua'i Planning and Action Alliance for several years, Zachary said.