NAWILIWILI — A trial period allowing responsible dog owners to utilize a portion of the Kapa‘a bike path will come to an end May 31. Community members crowded the Kaua‘i County Council building Wednesday to show support for a bill
NAWILIWILI — A trial period allowing responsible dog owners to utilize a portion of the Kapa‘a bike path will come to an end May 31. Community members crowded the Kaua‘i County Council building Wednesday to show support for a bill allowing dogs on the path permanently.
Outside the temporary county building in Nawiliwili every parking stall was taken; inside the Council Chambers every chair was occupied. Prior to the public hearing, the council received 120 letters in support of Bill 2354, which if passed will allow responsible owners to walk their dogs along the entire path. Twenty-one residents testified, each one in support of the bill.
“A fantastic period that cannot sunset,” said radio personality Ron Wiley, referring to the 18-month trial period in which dog owners have been allowed to take their pets on walks on the portion of the path between Lihi Park and south end of Kealia Beach.
The Kaua‘i Humane Society organized a dog walk last Sunday on the path. Wiley said about 200 people, with a conservative estimate of 275 dogs, shared the path without any problems.
Kaua‘i Humane Society Executive Director Dr. Becky Rhoades said the implementation of the trial period in the Kapa‘a bike path has “created a huge awareness, promotion and education of dog stewardship in our community.”
“More people know about leash law, more people know about dog licensing, more people know about the responsibility of picking up poop,” Rhoades said.
Many who testified said the bike path improves the quality of life in the community.
“As a medical doctor, the evidence is becoming clear, you can see from testimony today, the people are getting healthier using this pathway” said Dr. Randy Blake, adding that evidence shows that people who have dogs are more likely to use the path.
“Our four-legged walking buddies do a better job getting us on the path,” he said.
“I’m mobility impaired,” said resident Judy Zenefos, who uses a walker to get around. She said the only place she can use her walker and walk her dog at the same time is the path, because it’s wide and has a smooth surface.
Zenefos said since she started walking her dog on the path her health has improved considerably, and her doctor told her to “keep walking.”
Other residents also said that just by using the path to walk their dogs they lost considerable weight. Joni Lesser-Benton lost 12 pounds, Patty Sears lost 10 pounds and Cheryl Kubota, a daily user, lost 25 pounds.
Amalia Gray, holding her infant son, said the path helped her lose the weight she gained during pregnancy. Gray has been walking her dog on the path for almost 10 years, since it was a cane haul road.
Dr. Michelle Blake said as a disabled person, walking her dog is one of the few outdoor activities she’s able to enjoy. The retired physician gave an emotional testimony, pausing to shed some tears.
“Our dogs have taken the place of personal trainers,” Bev Brody said.
Many speakers said the path represents a safe place where they can walk their dogs. Neighborhoods and hiking trails often have unleashed dogs roaming around, which has caused some problems to responsible dog owners.
“It’s a blessing to this island,” said Gloria Nakea, adding that two of her dogs have been attacked by unleashed dogs in her neighborhood in Wailua Homesteads.
Edwin Kubota has three dogs, each over 100 pounds. He and his wife live in Kapahi, close to the ballpark, where no dogs are allowed. Their option is to walk their dogs on narrow sidewalks, which she said is unsafe.
Sandy Tutman said besides the health improvements, the bike path offers social opportunities for people who don’t usually frequent bars, so they can meet other members of the community.
Koloa resident Ellis Brooks said throughout his many travels in the Mainland he has come across dozens of bike paths, and has never seen one that did not allow dogs on it.
Other speakers also added that dogs in the path promote the visitor industry, because tourists often miss their dogs back home, and usually ask residents to pet their dogs.
Bill 2354 removes the 18-month trial period on the dog portion of the multi-use path and the restriction limiting it to a certain section. If the bill is passed, people would be able to walk their dogs along the entire path.
Councilwoman Lani Kawahara said she had hoped to present a survey about the path during Monday’s hearing. But at 7 p.m. the day before the meeting, she received an e-mail from Parks and Recreation Director Lenny Rapozo asking the council to hold off on sharing the path’s survey.
She’s been trying to obtain the survey for discussion since the first week of March, but the director has said he wants to present a package containing the survey, the plan and their recommendations.
The bill is expected to go to the Parks and Recreation Committee next Wednesday for discussion and possible amendments.
Critics have said allowing dogs on the path creates a public liability and is a concern among county workers who maintain the path.
Visit www.kauai.gov for more information.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.
