Forty cabin owners with the Koke‘e Leaseholders Association and other volunteers joined forces on four consecutive weekends recently to beautify parts of Koke‘e State Park. The work was done partly to assist state workers in maintaining the park, among the
Forty cabin owners with the Koke‘e Leaseholders Association and other volunteers joined forces on four consecutive weekends recently to beautify parts of Koke‘e State Park.
The work was done partly to assist state workers in maintaining the park, among the top visitor attractions on Kaua‘i, a spokesperson for the leaseholders association said.
Interiors of the park bathrooms were repainted, a number of picnic tables were repainted, fencing was put up at two Kalalau lookout points, railings were repainted, vegetation was trimmed at the Pu‘u Hina Hina Lookout, and the entry signs at the Waimea Canyon Lookout were repainted, said Donn A. Carswell, an association leader.
Carswell said association members have adopted the park, and have undertaken the maintenance and repairs to keep the park in top form.
Past work has included re-roofing the Pu‘u Ka Pele pavilions, the Pu‘u Hina Hina restrooms and the park office building, and repainting of every pavilion, restroom, picnic table and major sign in the park, Carswell said.
The most recent work and past work are part of an ongoing maintenance program association members initiated five years ago, Carswell said.
“We figure over the last five years, we have provided a $100,000 in labor and (donated materials) for the work, Carswell said.
While officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks have provided some materials for repairs, volunteers have often donated materials and labor, Carswell said.
For the most recent work, Carswell applauded the help of Ardell and Susan Deppe, who provided a paint sprayer, and the owners of Wellington Fencing Company, who provided fencing, and Princeville Ranch and Waimea Auto Garage, who provided other equipment for the work. The owners of Brennecke’s Beach Broiler in Po‘ipu provided lunch, Carswell said.
“The Koke‘e Leaseholders Association is proud of the mountain,” and is dedicated to helping the state maintain standards for Koke‘e State Park that are as high as those for any park in the state, Carswell said.
Leaders of the association hold workdays every three months to help the DLNR Division of State Parks with their priorities, Carswell said.
Association volunteers also helped out with Hui O Laka’s Koke‘e Museum forest projects, he said.
Those interested in helping out on other association projects can call 335-3877.
