NAWILIWILI — Ke Ala Hele Makalae, or “the path that goes by the coast,” is progressing amid some community opposition and an ocean of permits, funding, cultural and religious barriers. “We continue to move as fast as we can because
NAWILIWILI — Ke Ala Hele Makalae, or “the path that goes by the coast,” is progressing amid some community opposition and an ocean of permits, funding, cultural and religious barriers.
“We continue to move as fast as we can because we believe it’s a good thing,” Parks and Recreation Director Lenny Rapozo told the Kaua‘i County Council at its meeting Wednesday.
“Moving as quickly as possible as government allows,” he said, the county has constructed some 6.8 miles thus far.
Phase I of the path — in and around Lydgate Park — was completed in 2004. Phase II — Kapa‘a to Kealia — was finalized last year.
Phase III, which has encountered many roadblocks, is under way. This connecting phase consists of a two-mile stretch between Lydgate Park and Lihi Boat Ramp in Kapa‘a.
Rapozo said at the end of August the administration will start construction of a section of the path linking the north end of Lydgate Park to the north end of Papaloa Road, a short street running behind Kinipopo Shopping Village in Wailua; plus a spur at the bottom of Kawaihau Road going up to Gore Park in Kapahi.
The path so far has cost taxpayers $30.1 million in federal funding and $521,231 in county funding. Current projections estimate the entire path — 23.8 miles from Anahola to Nawiliwili — will cost $59.7 million in federal funds and $12.76 million from the county, likely in the form of “in kind” contribution, Rapozo said.
Kaua‘i is the only island that has a path that qualifies for Alternative to Transportation funding, Rapozo said.
Rapozo said if Kaua‘i does not use the AT funding — which provides jobs and a “nice amenity” for the island — the money will go somewhere else, such as Oregon, which is “really big on paths” and keeps expanding them.
The Westside and North Shore communities, he said, have begun discussions about adding a similar multi-use path to their neighborhoods.
But not everyone thinks federal money used on the path is money well spent. Kaua‘i residents Joe Rosa and Glenn Mickens on Wednesday voiced their opposition to the project, just as they have many times before when the issue has appeared on the agenda.
Mickens, a self-described “nitpicker” from Kapa‘a, asked council members to stop spending money on the path.
“The rhetoric and propaganda being put out to the public by those pushing this bike path are stifling,” he said.
Making a reference to the federal funds, Mickens called the “free” money spent on the path a “farce.”
“Whether it is federal, state or local it is our money, so once and for all let us put that myth to bed,” he said.
Papaloa
A small section of Papaloa Road fronting Kapa‘a Sands condominiums roiled some residents and county officials last month when a contract bid estimated the relocation of trash cans and propane enclosures and other minor work at $338,000.
Rapozo said the bid has been revised and construction is now estimated at $159,500, with the possibility of dropping further once construction commences.
The bike path was originally supposed to go through Papaloa Road and then cross Kuhio Highway, he said. The path would run inland all the way to the back side of Foodland Supermarket in Waipouli, then traverse the pedestrian bridge near McDonald’s and cross Kuhio Highway again to get back to the coast.
“Mayor (Bernard) Carvalho wants to keep the path a coastal path,” Rapozo said. “His decision was made to continue the path along the coast, and so from Papaloa we now have identified the county easement that allows us to get through.”
County Engineer Doug Haigh said Thursday at a Historic Preservation Commission meeting that in the past the Coconut Coast hotels and resorts had a “strong opposition” to having a bike path in front of their properties. But lately they have realized how much of an asset the path is to the community, and some of them have even taken care of the path’s design, he said.
Kawaihau spur
Rapozo said at the council meeting that the spur, originally estimated to cost $3 million, will come down in price. To minimize costs, he said, the county will search in the community for alternatives to build the elevated switchbacks which must be designed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and minimize environmental impacts.
“It’s too costly to be built by the contractor,” said Rapozo, adding that the county is looking into having the Department of Defense build the boardwalk. “Innovative Readiness Program is an alternative; we provide the materials, they provide the labor.”
Mickens said the Kawaihau spur price tag is “insanity.”
On July 26 the county Planning Commission denied a request for intervenor status by a Native Hawaiian group called Hui na Makaiwa o Wailuanuiaho‘ano. On the same day, after a lengthy hearing and discussion peppered with Native Hawaiian opposition, the commission approved the project.
Wailua area
The new bridge over Wailua River — on top of the old cane haul bridge — opened May 31. It includes a multi-use path alongside it and ends at Wailua Beach, which has been the stage of a battle between Native Hawaiian organizations and federal, state and county governments.
Hawaiian groups don’t want to see a bike path going over ancient burial sites. Government officials have contracted surveying work, but Hawaiians are saying they need to be consulted in the surveying process.
Waldeen Palmeira, representing Hui na Makaiwa o Wailuanuiaho‘ano, said at the Historic Preservation Commission meeting this week that the project has many violations regarding archaeological survey, for which her group has not been consulted.
Rapozo on Wednesday said the county has been ready to proceed with the path by Wailua Beach since 2009 — the project has been on hold waiting for the state Department of Transportation to finish its portion — but the administration continues to consult with Native Hawaiian organizations.
“I don’t believe that we just take it lightly,” Rapozo said of Native Hawaiian input. “We do listen and we do try and work with our Native Hawaiian organizations.”
Meanwhile, consultation with Native Hawaiian groups regarding the National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106, is ongoing. The state DOT is planning to widen the highway in front of Wailua Beach and, as part of Section 106, has recently conducted archaeological surveying in the area to identify potential burials and cultural sites.
The county will be looking next to finalize some land acquisition, secure construction and bid work, and publish a draft supplemental environmental assessment, Rapozo said.
Upcoming phases
Phase IV of the path is in the permitting process, Rapozo said. It will include a four-mile portion between Ahukini Landing and Lydgate Park. The county is waiting on consultation with Native Hawaiian groups regarding Section 106 and a final EA.
Phase V includes a three-mile stretch from Kuna Bay, known as Donkey’s Beach, to Anahola. Planning work for this phase has been postponed, according to Rapozo.
The Anahola community has voiced strong opposition to the project, and would rather keep the rural aspect of their beaches, according to Councilman KipuKai Kuali‘i.
Besides planning, work on Phase V is on hold pending finalization of other sections of the path and environmental work, Rapozo said.
Phase VI includes eight miles between Nawiliwili and Ahukini. This phase is also waiting on consultation with Native Hawaiian groups regarding Section 106 and a final EA.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
