PORT ALLEN (AP) – State improvements planned for the Port Allen Airport are being met with some community opposition. Much of the dissatisfaction stems from the airfield’s location, next to ancient Hawaiian salt-making beds still being used and a popular
PORT ALLEN (AP) – State improvements planned for the Port Allen Airport are being met with some community opposition.
Much of the dissatisfaction stems from the airfield’s location, next to ancient Hawaiian salt-making beds still being used and a popular county beach park.
“I’m totally against it,” said Frank Santos, a lifelong salt-maker who owns a Hanapepe landscaping firm and nursery.
Among aircraft that use the airport regularly are tour helicopters and one used by the Kauai Fire Department for most of its rescue operations. Improvements would allow small planes to also use the airstrip.
A final environmental assessment found no significant impact from the state’s plan for aircraft hangars, new paving, restrooms and other improvements, said Ben Schlapak, state airport planner.
Santos isn’t convinced.
He said heavy winter rains cause airport runoff to flow out onto the Salt Pond area, possibly contaminating summertime salt-making wells with fuel. In summer, aircraft operations toss dust, grass, seeds and other debris into the air that end up landing in the salt beds, Santos said.
The state Department of Transportation has an application before the county Planning Department that is several years old, delayed by pending completion of a revised environmental assessment.
Kauai Planning Director Dee Crowell said the state had yet to seek reactivation of its permit application.
Public testimony is likely to be taken during Planning Commission hearings on the improvements and Crowell said he expects heated debate.
