LIHU‘E — Work began earlier this month to identify and restore sections of a popular nine-mile section of Kalalau Trail. The project, funded by a grant-in-aid to the Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance from the state Board of Land and
LIHU‘E — Work began earlier this month to identify and restore sections of a popular nine-mile section of Kalalau Trail.
The project, funded by a grant-in-aid to the Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources, includes a section of the trail from two miles in at Hanakapi‘ai to the trail’s end at Kalalau beach. It is being conducted by Pono Pacific Land Management and work is expected to be completed by November 2013.
“This project is a great example of a public-private partnership, bringing together the flexibility of a nonprofit to assist the State Parks Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources in getting this project accomplished,” KPAA President and CEO Diane Zachary said. “Pono Pacific Land Management, LLC and Native Hawaiian Conservation are well-suited to carry out the work on the trail, given their trail-building experience and knowledge of the trail.”
Trail work is currently underway in eroded sections near mile eight. Work will then shift to other prioritized sections. Trail crews will camp for a week at a time near the work location, working long days to reduce the cost of helicopter transport.
“Kalalau Trail is a world famous destination known as a premier backcountry wilderness hiking experience,” DLNR Chair William Aila Jr. said. “It’s used by more than 12,000 permitted campers per year, and an unknown number of unpermitted campers also using the trail. This is a welcome and timely project to stem and reverse the erosive forces of nature and feral goats that have contributed to the deterioration of this rugged trail.”
The project is possible due to a $1.05 million grant from the state Legislature, released by Gov. Neil Abercrombie this spring. The BLNR, at the request of the State Parks Division, awarded the grant to KPAA for Kalalau Trail rehabilitation in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park. Pono Pacific has teamed with Native Hawaiian Conservation to provide on-site coordination and supervision for the trail rehabilitation project.
Most hikers are not expected to face delays as work is happening after the two-mile mark at Hanakapi‘ai. A volunteer Citizens Advisory Committee, composed of trail users, hunters and environmental advocates, is providing guidance on the project.
The Napali Coast State Wilderness Park is comprised of steep, rough and severely weathered and eroded cliffs that form deep gullies. This world-renowned and spectacular landscape is managed and preserved for watershed, wildlife and recreational purposes.
Each year, approximately 500,000 people hike the first two miles of the trail to Hanakapi‘ai and up to the falls. This past year, approximately 8,710 permitted hikers obtained 4,062 permits to hike the 11 miles into Kalalau. This mix of ardent hikers was comprised of 6,489 out-of-state visitors and 2,221 local residents.
• Chris D’Angelo, lifestyle writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 241) or lifestyle@thegardenisland.com.
