POLIHALE STATE PARK — A volunteer-driven project to restore public access to Polihale State Park is nearing completion. Community leader Bruce Pleas, of Kekaha, spearheaded the project, getting help from Westside resident Andy Johnston and numerous citizens and companies from
POLIHALE STATE PARK — A volunteer-driven project to restore public access to Polihale State Park is nearing completion.
Community leader Bruce Pleas, of Kekaha, spearheaded the project, getting help from Westside resident Andy Johnston and numerous citizens and companies from around the island.
When access was closed to the public due to damage caused by mid-December storms and a lack of state funding for repairs, Pleas contacted DNLR State Parks Manager Steve Thompson.
“He said it would be one to two years before it would be open again. I said, ‘That’s not going to work,’” Pleas said. “We need beach access — locals, surfers, fishermen. That’s my whole objective.”
Soon after his talk with Thompson, Pleas began organizing a volunteer effort to repair the damage and restore access.
Since work began March 23, the debris of cane, dirt, sticks and rocks that had collected under a critical bridge along the road has been cleared out. Martin Steel Construction provided the materials and welding needed to repair the bridge and add new railings.
Kaua‘i Lumber donated lumber for the form work to reinforce the bridge foundation, and Myron Lindsey Construction oversaw bridge repairs. According to Pleas, the bridge work will be complete following certification.
Several areas of the dirt road that were washed out have also been repaired. Prieto Construction and Rylo Excavation donated the heavy equipment and operating services, grading the road and constructing boulder retaining walls.
The entire project has been monitored by state officials working with the volunteers daily, making a successful collaboration between government and citizens of the community.
Pleas said the majority of the bathrooms are restored for public use and the only tasks still required to provide access are the bridge passing certification — being able to hold two vehicles on it for two-lane traffic — and the emergency phone at the beach becoming operational.
Estimated reopening time is two to three weeks, Pleas said.
Johnston organized lunch and refreshments to be donated to the volunteers daily, from establishments such as Ishihara Market, Wranglers Steakhouse, Waimea Brew Pub, Kalaheo Coffee Company, Kaua‘i Springs Water and resident Mary Mulcoy.
After a March 10 meeting at Kekaha Neighborhood Center, a nonprofit group and community organization, E Ola Mau Na Leo O Kekaha, agreed to open a “Polihale Fund” to take donations for the project. Soon after, Surfrider Foundation also started a donation drive.
“The funds were set up to assist on any expenses out here, but we’ve had minimal expenses so it’s going to a permanent fund so we will have the funds available to grade the road when needed and come down and maintain the bridge when it gets clogged again,” Pleas said.
During the past weeks, there has been an outpouring of volunteers from the community.
“We’ve had dozens of offers from people,” Johnston said. “I personally hope we are entering into an age of volunteerism.”
• Lois Ann Ell, freelance writer, can be reached via news editor Nathan Eagle at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com
