• Kaua‘i deserves a coastal path Kaua‘i deserves a coastal path Ke Ala Hele Makalae — Kaua‘i’s Health and Heritage Coastal Trail, has evolved since the vision was begun 25 years ago, and has been nurtured by many people on
• Kaua‘i deserves a coastal path
Kaua‘i deserves a coastal path
Ke Ala Hele Makalae — Kaua‘i’s Health and Heritage Coastal Trail, has evolved since the vision was begun 25 years ago, and has been nurtured by many people on Kaua‘i: a coastal trail from Ke‘e in the north to Polihale in the southwest. The current name for this path translates from Hawaiian as “The Way to Go on the Coast.” The goals for this trail are to:
• Promote health and fitness;
• Enhance access to culturally significant areas;
• Preserve historic railroad corridors;
• Provide alternative transport routes;
• Protect shoreline access for residents and visitors, including those with mobility impairments.
The committee that convened seven years ago to help bring this to reality has been proactive in the design, funding, and execution of this trail. We respectfully request that the committee members of Ke Ala Hele Makalae remain part of the creative team as the County of Kaua‘i moves forward in implementing the vision of the coastal path.
Specifically, we ask that we be kept informed as the plans unfold, and that we be asked for our input as decisionmaking opportunities arise. Our current input includes requesting that the third section of the path continue on the coast.
Our committee is dedicated to listening to the general public’s wishes, and to all of the varied potential users of the trail. In public meetings local people have made their preferences known.
When asked what they felt the elements of a perfect path would be, the numberone answer was to keep the path on the coast. The second response was to keep the path safe and away from the roads.
Fortunately, in most instances the public’s access to the coast has been protected by the establishment of beach reserves or by requiring public access along the shore in front of resort development.
The section constructed in the Lydgate Park area was successfully placed along the coast, and the section from Kapa‘a to Kima Bay will be, started shortly, also along the coast.
There is public land along the ocean in front of the condominiums and resorts from the former Seashell restaurant (across from Coco Palms) to the Kauai Coast Resort (formally The Beachboy).
Past that point there is vacant land zoned for hotels where lateral coastal access will most certainly be required whenever development occurs.
We would like to alleviate the concerns of the condominium owners on this section. The draft EA (environmental assessment) provided by Kimura International concludes no significant environmental impact and no seawalls or construction in the active shoreline was ever considered. The condo owners also express anxiety about impacts on their security or property values. We can create this coastal trail next to the ocean.
Significant amount of public land already exists there; the path is largely off existing roadways, and is the only alternative that does not encounter a difficult highway crossing. Our coastal path is a legacy for our island; let it provide coastal access for everyone, regardless of personal land ownership.
The Ke Ala Hele Makalae Committee is: Dale Rosenfeld, Bev Brody, Laurie Ho, Jo Manea, Tim Bynum, Laurel Brier, Robert Measel Jr., Rayne Regush.
