North Shore one-lane bridges should be preserved According to his letter of Jan. 20, Walter Lewis would prefer that the bridge to Hanalei were a Kalihiwai/Lumahai sort of aerial monstrosity swooping off the Princeville hill, landing directly outside Hanalei town,
North Shore one-lane bridges should be preserved
According to his letter of Jan. 20, Walter Lewis would prefer that the bridge to Hanalei were a Kalihiwai/Lumahai sort of aerial monstrosity swooping off the Princeville hill, landing directly outside Hanalei town, complete with concrete pilings and cement roadway that was the Department of Transportation proposal in the mid-70s.
Except for the visionary genius of a “handful of activist” citizens, that is the entrance to Hanalei we’d have today and no doubt, Hanalei town would be a very different place. But because a few people were dedicated to the idea that the past has relevance, and historical preservation lends context for the present day landscape, we are able to experience Route 560 very nearly as it was designed over 100 years ago.
After working and succeeding to save the Hanalei bridge, those few “activists” continued to advocate for the other one-lane bridges on Route 560 and, through perseverance and good humor, were able to turn the state DOT into allies for their cause.
The North Shore road, with its 11 one-lane bridges, is now on the National Register of Historical Places, which allows the county and the state legal flexibility in repair and maintenance of the highway.
The Hanalei Roads Committee has been meeting regularly for 35 years with the Kaua‘i DOT, staying in touch with them on current North Shore projects and at various times taking surveys of the community to be sure the committee is accurately reflecting the wishes of Hanalei, Wainiha and Ha’ena residents.
Over and over again, the overriding vision remains to preserve the historical character of the road from Princeville to Ke’e.
In November 2000, over 200 North Shore residents participated in the Update to the General Plan, which states in Vision for Rural Roads and Highways :
“Our rural roads retain their ‘country character.’ They are limited to two lanes, bordered with natural vegetation. Speed limits are kept low for safety reasons. The right of way may include grassed drainage swales, but there are no sidewalks, no curbs or gutters … Narrow rural roads, bike paths and one-lane bridges are an essential component of the Ha’ena-Hanalei area, distinguishing it from other parts of Kaua‘i. These features slow traffic on the road and encourage the relaxed pace of life and neighborliness that is essential to the area’s character.”
Traffic calming is one of the most potent and important functions of the one-lane bridges that Mr. Lewis would so sweepingly erase from our roadway. Because he lives in Princeville, and all the one-lane bridges he mentions are not on any direct route to his house, it is not apparent how often Mr. Lewis traverses the one-lane bridges, but for those who do, the pause to yield is neither onerous nor burdensome.
Rather, it creates a respite, a slow-down, a reminder to look around and remember where we are, to drink in the beauty of the North Shore and signal a friendly acknowledgment to the passing motorist who may or may not be a neighbor or relation.
For visitors the one-lane bridges are a defining feature that sets the North Shore apart; they are an asset that attracts and enchants. Learning bridge etiquette is an initiation, a way to feel “local,” a ticket to North Shore culture.
As for the traffic report he cites, he doesn’t credit his source, but the Roads Committee has just recently reviewed a 10-year DOT report for Route 560 from the Princeville substation to Waikoko and, in fact, found a minuscule percentage of accidents on or near the bridges. Perhaps different reports supply different data, but for the huge majority of drivers, the traffic calming effect of one-lane bridges presents a safety effect, as well. Slowing down and paying attention mostly means greater safety.
History infuses the character of our road and, whether we’re aware of it or not, a sense of time past emanates from its narrow curves and one-lane river and stream bed crossings.
While some wish to obliterate history, most of us appreciate the remnants that remain in our high tech, speed-laced modern life. They are the touchstones upon which the pace and quality of life on the North Shore depend.
Evelyn de Buhr
Hanalei Roads Committee
Hanalei
Thank you, lifeguards
The kuleana (responsibility) of being a lifeguard can be stressful, dealing with keiki full of sugar and seniors in poor health.
For lifeguards, it’s not just sitting around and looking macho and talking story all day. They recognize and eliminate dangers that the average lay person does not even notice.
Our keiki may feel they are being reprimanded when the lifeguard tells them not to run or jump from areas that are not safe. Others may take offense if the lifeguard asks them to shower before entering the public pool.
The lifeguards will evacuate the pool when they hear thunder, to keep us safe from a possible lightning hit. The lifeguards are ready should we go under. They know CPR, mouth-to-mouth and many other life-saving and emergency procedures.
I would like to thank the lifeguards I am in regular contact with. Mahalo nui loa to Jeremy Haupt and his crew of three lifeguards — Brandon Jacinto, Aric Acorda and Landon Peeren — at the Kapa’a public pool for keeping an eye on me during my aqua therapy and lap swims. The reason I feel safe is because of the unsung heroes called lifeguards.
Again, I would like to thank not only Jeremy and his distinguished and stupendous crew of lifeguards, but to all the lifeguards who help assist in keeping our cosmic hamlet of an island out of harm’s way. Mahalo nui loa!
James “Kimo” Rosen, Kapa‘a
