KUKUI’ULA — Final county approval on plans for Kukui’ula’s Western Bypass Road, the first of the project’s two major roadways, was given Monday, said leaders of the Kukui’ula Development Company. Steeped in tradition, a celebratory groundbreaking (huli ka lepo) and
KUKUI’ULA — Final county approval on plans for Kukui’ula’s Western Bypass Road, the first of the project’s two major roadways, was given Monday, said leaders of the Kukui’ula Development Company.
Steeped in tradition, a celebratory groundbreaking (huli ka lepo) and blessing was held at the site of the two-mile long road near Koloa Town.
“As Kukui’ula marks a new pathway for the people of Kaua’i, may we remember Kalanikaumaka — the Chiefess to whom everyone looked — and this special area that she so loved and cherished,” read Trinette Kaui of A&B Properties.
“May we remember this sacred ground upon which she walked, and honor her life-time journey of lokomaika’i — generosity. And, may all who travel upon Ala Kalanikaumaka reflect and ponder upon the great aloha and ho’ihi (respect) we must have for one another, just as Emma did for her people and this land.”
Kaui’s son, Kale, a graduate of Kamehameha Schools, literally grew up surrounded by the planning and growth of the South Shore development his mother was involved in. He came up with the name Ala Kalanikaumaka for the new roadway. The name was selected to honor Hawai’i’s late Queen Emma who held a special place in her heart for the Kukui’ula area.
Once completed, the north-south alternative road will run from the entry of Kukui’ula at Lawai Road, north to Koloa Road. Notice to the contractor to proceed is anticipated in February, said leaders of A&B. The construction period is projected to be 20 months.
“This is an important day for all of Kukui’ula’s stakeholders, especially Kaua’i’s residents,” said A&B President and CEO Allen Doane. “Construction of this road-way will fulfill one of the commitments we made to the community, and to government officials that the bypass road would be constructed first, before the homes.”
Doane noted that when he was first hired by A&B, he spent his first day on the very lands where the project will sit.
Introducing the Kaua’i people who have been associated with the project, Doane pointed out that Trinette Kaui started with the project when she was still in high school. Suzette Kane was hired in February 1991. Doane’s first hire when he became an A&B employee was Tom Shigemoto, “who will always be known as Mr. Kukui’ula,” who started in August 1991.
“This group has always held the dream,” Doane said. “They are the ones who remind us about doing the right thing for Kaua’i.”
Located on approximately 1,010 acres along Kaua’i’s southern coast, Kukui’ula is a master planned resort residential community, adjacent to the Po’ipu Beach Resort and historic Koloa Town, Kaua’i’s first sugar plantation town.
Within the complex will be approximately 1,200 custom homesites, cottages, and a resort spa. Other amenities will include a Tome Weiskopf-designed championship golf course and clubhouse, a recreational center, a network of parks and trails, and a village center with more than 75,000 square feet of boutiques, cafes and restaurants. A 20-acre community park and a 2-acre beach park at Kukui’ula Bay are also planned.
Drew Brown, Managing Director and CEO for DMB Associates, Inc., said, “This blessing celebrates not only years of planning and preparation, but is the first tangible sign of our unique partnership with A&B.”
A&B owns 91,000 acres in Hawai’i, making it Hawai’i’s fourth-largest private land-owner.
