The community-built Kamalani Kai bridge south of Lydgate Park has been completed since last November, and an official groundbreaking ceremony will initiate the park’s “master plan” for bridge the Kamalani Playground at Lydgate park on July 2. A multi-use, two-mile
The community-built Kamalani Kai bridge south of Lydgate Park has been completed since last November, and an official groundbreaking ceremony will initiate the park’s “master plan” for bridge the Kamalani Playground at Lydgate park on July 2.
A multi-use, two-mile path linking Kamalani Playground to the bridge is just part of the master plan. Also planned: parking, campsites, permanent restrooms, landscaping and a paved road leading under the bridge.
The County of Kaua’i in May awarded a $2.1 million contract to Kauai Builders, Ltd. to begin construction of the bike/pedestrian path.
A $2.6 million Federal Highways Administration grant was acquired for the project after Kamalani Kai Bridge was erected.
According to Doug Haigh, County planning department, building division, the path and campsites will be built concurrently, with November being the tentative date of completion.
“We’re going to be starting the restrooms as soon as possible. It’s one of our top priorities,” he said. A road will stretch from the entrance, under the bridge and to the bathroom, to be located behind the golf course at the old Wailua Golf Course guard shack, according to Haigh .
After completion of the bike/walking path, campsites and restroom, the master plan includes another path along Leho Drive.
Despite continued reports to police of vandalism, loitering and parties in the Kamalani Bridge area, the county public information office said the county has no plans to hire security guards yet.
Instead, our police department will probably be asked to patrol the Kamalani playground and bridge more often. There may be other security measures in the future when the park is expanded and campgrounds are finished, said Beth Tokioka, county public information officer.
“This is a sensitive cultural, archeological area, so it’s our intent to have specific campsites and to control the camping by (requiring) reservations for specific campsites,” Haigh said. Planned are seven “rustic” campsites with 10×10′ frames; 19 20×20′ frames; and two 20×40′ sites for larger groups.
“You’ll have your own sandbox,” he said.
The Friends of Kamalani hopes to charge fees for camping, according to Haigh. From that revenue, a park ranger could be hired for security. Another concept for security is to have a gate at the entrance to campgrounds that will be closed after a certain hour, restricting vehicle access.
The Friends of Kamalani would need to get a new county ordinance passed in order to change camping regulations. Currently, Hawai’i residents camp free in county parks; nonresidents pay $3 per person per night.
Haigh says if the gate does go up, an alternate driving route exists and beach access won’t be restricted in that area.
The Friends of Kamalani are inviting those who helped build the bridge to the groundbreaking ceremony. Refreshments will be provided by Kauai Builders.
The groundbreaking is scheduled for July 2, Tuesday, 10 a.m., at the small pavilion at Lydgate Park. For more information, call Tim Bynum, Friends of Kamalani, at 635-1461.
