KILAUEA — Footings went in for a $32,000 gazebo at the Kilauea Community Agricultural Center on Thursday, one of the first steps for constructing the little community gathering place within the developing ag park. Groundbreaking for the gazebo was Monday,
KILAUEA — Footings went in for a $32,000 gazebo at the Kilauea Community Agricultural Center on Thursday, one of the first steps for constructing the little community gathering place within the developing ag park.
Groundbreaking for the gazebo was Monday, and a blessing ceremony was held the same day with Bin Costello. The members of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay funded the gazebo project.
The agricultural center’s development is continuing under the leadership of local nonprofit Aina Ho‘okupu o Kilauea and the organization’s executive director, Yosh L’Hote. Malama Kauai and County of Kauai are also involved.
The vision is to create a 250-plot community garden with a three-acre compost and recycling facility, a four-acre new farmer training site, a four-acre renewable energy park, and a place for the Kilauea Farmers Market — all balanced within a 75-acre active agricultural farm.
“The gazebo was a result of a community survey our club put out a year ago, asking people what our projects should be,” said John Oszust, past president of the club. “The public said ‘We’d like you to help with the Kilauea Community Ag Center.’”
The Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay has worked on multiple community projects in the past, including the restoration of Hanalei Pier and the construction of a lifeguard equipment storage building on Weke Road.
The gazebo is located in a grove of fruit trees, contributed by the Rotary Club of Kyoto Rakuhoku, sister club of the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay. Those trees are planted around the perimeter berm that will soon provide privacy and windbreak for the planned farm.
“The gazebo is in close proximity to the community garden plots and the community farm,” said George Costa, director of the county Office of Economic Development. “(It) will provide a place for farmers to get out of the weather and relax.”
The project should be completed within two or three weeks, Oszust said.
Work is ongoing at the Kilauea ag park, which is envisioned to be a place of commerce and community connection, with access to local produce and the potential to create local jobs.
“It’s pretty impressive what he’s doing,” Oszust said of L’Hote. “He’s done a wonderful job with what used to be 75 acres of wasteland.”
Pavilions to shade and protect the farmers’ market are part of the plan for the ag park, and the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay is also raising money for those buildings.
Construction hasn’t started yet, but fundraising toward a $275,000 goal has begun.
The complex is going through the final engineering process so building permits can be submitted, Costa said. Construction is expected to start in early 2018.
“It’s a very significant and helpful and beneficial project for the community as a whole, and it’s responsible development,” Oszust said.
Donations are being accepted at www.hanaleirotary.org.
