Léo Azambuja - The Garden Island
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NAWILIWILI — In a surprise move, Kaua‘i County Councilmembers Wednesday deferred a decision on whether or not to allow dogs on the entire length of the Kapa‘a shared-use path.

Dog owners will have to stay put a little longer waiting for a decision.

Currently, leashed dogs are allowed on approximately a two-mile stretch of the path, from Lihi Park near the Pono Kai Resort in Kapa‘a to south of the picnic shelter closest to the bridge over the Kealia River.

The privilege, however, is currently scheduled to end May 31, when an 18-month trial period will sunset.

Councilmembers are currently trying to finish the bill that will permanently decide the fate of the controversial issue. If a decision cannot be reached by May 31, dogs will not be allowed anywhere on the path until a new ordinance takes effect.

After a lengthy session, Councilman Derek Kawakami, who bluntly said he doesn’t like dogs, made a motion to approve bill 2354, which would allow leashed dogs on the entire path.

“I think the path is a wonderful thing for everybody,” Kawakami said. “I feel based on my personal experience there’s room on the path for everybody.”

Councilman Tim Bynum, who originally introduced the bill in March, said the bill should go through the council’s Parks and Transportation Committee again, so councilmembers could introduce amendments.

Bynum, committee vice-chair, was also the crafter of the original bill, which was amended to allow the 18-month trial period. He has said in the past that his original intent was to allow dogs on the entire path.

Kawakami, saying he was “baffled” by the suggestion, also said he felt the whole process was rushed, but he was ready to move on and vote in favor of allowing dogs on the path, instead of deferring it.

“I’m the very one here ready to make a motion to approve it, and you guys are hesitant to second my motion. You guys want to defer this thing. Excuse me if I feel a little confused,” said Kawakami, addressing Bynum and Councilwoman Lani Kawahara.

Kawahara, the committee chair, has also been a vocal supporter of allowing dogs on the entire path.

Councilman Dickie Chang said he is concerned with dogs being allowed on the portion of the path crossing Lydgate Park, where there are many children and elderly.

“One of the testimonies comes from a young lady who identifies herself as the first person who got bit on the dog path,” said Chang, adding that the woman is still “terrified” to be on the path.

“We need to be truly and humbly thinking about the others that also want to share the path,” Chang said.

Chang motioned to defer the bill, allowing further discussion. Bynum seconded it.

Needing only three favorable votes out of five from the Parks and Transportation Committee members, the deferral passed. Kawakami voted against the deferral. Councilman Daryl Kaneshiro stood silent, and Bynum and Kawahara voted in favor of the deferral.

Kaneshiro’s silence meant a no vote on the move to defer.

Earlier during the session, county Parks and Recreation Department Deputy Director Kylan Dela Cruz offered a comprehensive presentation on a 16-month survey done on the path. Park rangers, Kaua‘i Humane Society volunteers and a community organization, Kaua‘i Path, joined efforts in the survey.

Roughly 95 percent of the 533 community members interviewed on the path, including dog-owners and non-dog owners, were favorable to allowing leashed dogs on the entire path.

Parks and Recreation Director Lenny Rapozo Jr. said because of tough economic times the department is not sufficiently staffed to properly take care of an entire path open to dogs.

An internal survey involving 29 department staff showed that 60 percent of employees are opposed to allowing dogs on the entire path.

The Parks and Recreation new plan suggests leashed dogs be allowed from Kealia lookout to the north end of Kuna Beach, popularly known as Donkey Beach.

 United Public Workers Business Agent Trina Horner said the union supports leashed dogs on the portion of the path proposed by Rapozo, because allowing them on the entire path would put an extra burden on maintenance workers.

Many residents who testified said allowing dogs on the entire path would not negatively impact the work load of county employees, because dog owners, besides picking up after their dogs, also pick up trash. They argued that the trial period helped educate the community and also showed how responsible dog owners are.

Resident Judy Xenofos had testified a week earlier in favor of allowing dogs on the path. She has had surgery on both of her knees and hips, and needs a walker to get around. The path, she said, is the only place where she can safely walk her dog while utilizing a walker.

Xenofos said she wasn’t sure if the suggested relocation of the allowable portion was smooth enough for her condition. In fact, the cement path turns into a rougher asphalt surface on the north end of Kealia Beach, stretching all the way to the end of Donkey Beach.

The bill will now go back to committee on May 5, and likely go to a final reading on May 12, with or without amendments.

• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@kauaipubco.com.