KAPA‘A — Grab a favorite pair of sneakers or put some air in the tires of that rusty, old bicycle, because Friday marked the official grand opening of Phase II for Ke Ala Hele Makalae — the path that goes
KAPA‘A — Grab a favorite pair of sneakers or put some air in the tires of that rusty, old bicycle, because Friday marked the official grand opening of Phase II for Ke Ala Hele Makalae — the path that goes by the coast.
“This is a wonderful beginning,” said Thomas Noyes, secretary of the board of directors for Kaua‘i Path, Friday at the formal blessing held at Lihi Park. “The possibilities Kaua‘i has for active transportation being an integral part of our daily lives are limitless.”
Individuals now have the opportunity to walk, bike or run 4.1 miles between the Lihi Boat Ramp in central Kapa‘a and Ahihi Point in Kealia, as well as traverse 2.5 miles through Lydgate Park.
The Lydgate portion, known as Phase I, opened in 2003. The first two-odd miles of the Kapa‘a-to-Kealia section have been in use since early 2008, but the section north of Kealia Beach was not open to the general public until Friday.
“This is truly an example of the community and government working together to make something happen,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
Noyes said the building of the path has been a collective effort between federal, state and county officials, as well as private donors, contractors and the community. Roughly 50 individuals involved with the project were there to celebrate the grand opening of Phase II Friday, where food was served and friendly exchanges were made.
Pat Phung, lead highway engineer for the Federal Highway Administration’s Hawai‘i Division, was one such person who seemed excited about the path’s progress.
It has been the positive nature of the venture that has really kept it going, he said.
Yet another example of the way Kaua‘i’s community pulls together to accomplish a task, Noyes — having been a part of the venture of some 15 years — said he is proud of the accomplishments thus far.
“To have a third of the project complete is fantastic,” he said.
When asked whether he was worried if current economic conditions might create a hindrance, Noyes said it has not been a concern, as he has seen many financial fluctuations throughout the years.
“The economy comes and goes, but health and transportation needs are constant,” Noyes said, adding that since the Eastside pathway has been deemed such as success, interest has also “sparked” both North Shore and Westside communities, where efforts to emulate the project are currently underway.
“Just like a lei, it has no beginning and no end,” said Kahu Ipo Kahunaele-Ferreira during her blessing, also encouraging everyone to “use the path with aloha.”
While Phases I and II are now complete, the two-mile stretch from Lydgate Park to Lihi Boat Ramp, including a spur to the Kapa‘a Elementary School area, that constitutes Phase III is currently under construction and is expected to be finished sometime next year.
Phases IV, V and VI — which, when completed, will create an uninterrupted bridge between Anahola in the north to Nawiliwili in the south — are also well on the “path” to completion, with environmental assessments in progress.
Noyes said he can’t think of a better place than Kaua‘i for such a project as Ke Ala Hele Makalae to take place.
This is an island where recreational activities have the opportunity to flourish, given the ideal weather, the political will, and a healthy dose of community support, he said.
For full coverage of today’s Mayor-A-Thon event at Ke Ala Hele Makalae, see an upcoming edition of The Garden Island.
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
