Next week’s blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the oft-delayed Koloa bypass road had to be postponed, too. The affair, at the intersection of the bypass and Weliweli Road, was originally scheduled for next Tuesday. But after releasing the plans
Next week’s blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the oft-delayed Koloa bypass road had to be postponed, too.
The affair, at the intersection of the bypass and Weliweli Road, was originally scheduled for next Tuesday. But after releasing the plans to the news media Thursday, Kaua’i County officials quickly rescinded the announcement because federal officials associated with the road project weren’t going to be available to participate in a Tuesday ceremony.
By yesterday, the event had been rescheduled for next Thursday at 10 a.m.
Immediately after the blessing, traffic will be allowed on the entire length of the roadway for the first time, and refreshments will be served at the Anne Knudsen Park (Koloa ballpark) Pavilion.
Once traffic finally is allowed on the last 1.2 miles of the newest county road that was nearly two decades in the making, it will be officially known as Ala Kinoiki Way, even though the Native Hawaiian who won a contest to name the road didn’t submit “Way” as part of the name. That would be redundant, as “Ala” means “path” in Hawaiian.
Lopaka Bukoski, an employee of Lawa’i Beach Resort, came up with Ala Kinoiki and won a $100 gift certificate for naming the beleaguered road. He also has been invited to Thursday’s ceremony.
The Po’ipu Beach Resort Association and Koloa Community Association, in cooperation with the county, joined forces to sponsor the contest.
Organizers said Bukoski’s suggestion was chosen in large part because of his rationale behind the name.
“The significance of any name in Hawaiian culture also holds great importance,” Bukoski said. “It marks an event, assures that one’s family line will continue, or states a physical feature that a place or a person possesses. In keeping all of these things in mind, the name I am submitting, Ala Kinoiki – literally meaning ‘Kinoiki’s road or path’ – pays tribute to (Prince) Kuhio’s mother, Princess Kinoiki Kekaulike,” said Bukoski.
Also, the new road leads to the south shore, the birthplace of Kuhio, he said.
