KAPA‘A — A handful of people turned out to spruce up portions of the recently dedicated bicycle and pedestrian path yesterday in Kapa‘a. “This is the perfect number,” said Thomas Noyes, coordinator of the Second Saturday Sweep, a program intended
KAPA‘A — A handful of people turned out to spruce up portions of the recently dedicated bicycle and pedestrian path yesterday in Kapa‘a.
“This is the perfect number,” said Thomas Noyes, coordinator of the Second Saturday Sweep, a program intended to maximize the enjoyment of Ke Ala Hele Makalae by its many users.
“There are no big issues at this time, and the path is looking litter-free, so we don’t need a lot of people or muscle-power,” Noyes said of the eight volunteers. “But there are certain sections which have issues.”
One of the areas needing attention is located immediately behind a gravel parking lot near the Kapa‘a Pool, Noyes said. Currently, motorists use the path to access this lot, and the accumulation of gravel needs to be swept away.
“Dirt and gravel can send you flying,” said Tammie Bernard, one of the volunteers. “I use the path for roller-blading and walking, and I came out to help sweep.”
John Lord, a part-time Illinois resident, and Brett Ishida, cyclist and path ambassador, were among the other volunteers clearing ironwood needles from in front of the Hotel Coral Reef.
“This is a great way to catch up on doing community service,” Lord said. “Plus, it’s a great place to meet people.”
In addition to cleanup and maintenance work, Noyes said the group also coaches users they encounter on path etiquette and uses the opportunity to recruit volunteers for future projects, including a coastal cleanup near the Kealia Lookout.
“We want to maximize the enjoyment people get when they use the path,” Noyes said. “Not all the litter is man-made, but we try and address all the issues so people can enjoy their experience.”
Noyes said interested volunteers can sign up as a “Friend of the Path” to promote path enjoyment, safety and awareness, or they can join the Kaua‘i Path Beautification Program, which promotes beautification of specific portions of Ke Ala Hele Makalae through coordinated volunteer and community efforts.
The public is invited to an orientation meeting for the Friends of the Path from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Crafts Room at the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center.
For more information, visit www.KauaiPath.org.
