Federal funds have been allocated for the design of a new scenic stop that would overlook Hanalei Valley, but no decision has been made by the state to go ahead with the work. U.S. House Rep. Patsy Mink (D-Hawai’i) announced
Federal funds have been allocated for the design of a new scenic stop that would overlook Hanalei Valley, but no decision has been made by the state to go ahead with the work.
U.S. House Rep. Patsy Mink (D-Hawai’i) announced portions of a $1.3 million grant for the Kaua’i project and a larger highway project on the Big Island.
But the state Department of Transportation is still deciding whether to improve and expand the existing site or create a new viewing spot on adjacent land owned by Princeville Corp.
A spokesman for Mink’s office said the congresswoman would look into the matter.
The new lookout, if is approved, would be built within a mile of the current site.
A popular stop for residents and visitors, the lookout offers a panoramic view of the valley, including a federal bird refuge of more than 900 acres, mountain ranges, waterfalls and taro farms that produce up to 65 percent of the state’s supply of taro for poi.
The state transportation agency is proposing a relocation partly because the current site has inadequate parking, increasing the risk for traffic accidents.
The new viewpoint would include a visitor center with a bookstore and interpretative displays and would eventually be owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to the agency’s Tom Alexander, who oversees three federal refuges on Kaua’i, including the bird refuge in the valley.
The new site, if approved, would provide a view of the valley and the ocean. The existing lookout provides a view only of the valley.
No decision has been made to either improve and expand the existing site or to relocate it, according to Glenn Yamamoto, acting district engineer with DOT’s highway division on Kaua’i.
A consultant hired by DOT – Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Quade and Douglas Inc. — is studying the proposed new site and possible alternates and their environmental impacts, Yamamoto said.
The project would only fly if Princeville Corp. donates the land.
“Otherwise, the main option for the DOT would be to improve the existing site,” Yamamoto said.
Michael Loo, director of real estate and development for Princeville Corp., said the company has agreed to donate the land but “we have to see what the plan involves.”
Princeville is offering the land as part of its master development plan for its residential-resort community in the North Shore area.
Yamamoto said a decision on the project will be made after the study is completed, possibly as early as next spring.
Two public information meetings have been held on the proposal so far, one in August and one last week at Hanalei Elementary School. At the latter meeting, most of the 20 or so people in attendance voiced a preference for keeping the existing site, according to Yamamoto.
“They felt it was adequate and didn’t see the need to spend additional money for a new facility,” he said.
About $250,000 has been spent for the work done by the consultant, Yamamoto said, but no money has been set aside for construction work.
If the project is approved and construction funds are available, it would be built by a contractor following a bid process.
Staff writer Paul C. Curtis can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) and mailto:pcurtis@pulitzer.net
