Kauai Path Kaua'i Coastal Path

On October 4, 2008 Kauai Path volunteers escorted several candidates for Kauai’s political offices on a walking site visit to the Lydgate Park to Kapaa section of Ke Ala Hele Makalae that is planned to be built in 2009-2010. Candidates and volunteer escorts attending included:

 (L to R) Elle Vitt, Lilly Dowling, Kipukai Les Kuali‘i, Derek Kawakami, Bernard Carvalho, Jr., Lani Kawahara, Mina Morita, Tony DeJesus, Joe Carrillo, Adria Fisher, Tim Bynum, George Thronas, Jr., and Thomas A. Noyes.

JoAnn Yukimura joined the group later in the walk. A second walk with Senator Gary Hooser and Council Chair Jay Fufaro was conducted on October 18, 2008.

Comments:

Bernard Carvalho, Jr.: Great opportunity to inform leaders and community of the great opportunity that this project has to offer the people of Kauai. I would suggest that more walks be scheduled.

Bernard Carvalho, Jr., Director, Department of Parks & Recreation, County of Kauai and candidate for mayor; and Jo Manea, President, Kauai Path, Inc. near the Hikinaakala Heiau in Lydgate Park.

Derek Kawakami: This is so much more than a path, it is an investment for our keiki and for their keiki.

Kipukai Kuali`i: I'm a longtime supporter of alternative means of transportation and living a healthy lifestyle.

For three years our Kuali`i `Ohana fielded a team in the Kauai Great Weigh Out. During those times we utilized the path extensively.

Needless to say, it was a pure joy! It's so soothing to walk along the coast with the sea breezes wafting over us. Mahalo!!!

(Kauai's Great Weigh Out—Lydgate Park—January 19, 2004—The Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park archival photo)

Gary Hooser: My wife Claudette and I walk on the path on a regular basis and believe it is a great asset to the community.

Kauai County Council Chair Jay Furfaro (left); Thomas Noyes, Secretary, Kauai Path, Inc. (center); and Hawaii State Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser (right) overlooking the Wailua River mouth—reviewing details from the Lydgate Park to Kapaa Final Environmental Assessment.

Hermina Morita: Nothing changes a person's mind or solidifies a position than seeing, experiencing, and participating in a positive event. Besides it's great exercise, which we all need. Planning is everything! Good job.

Makai of the intersction of Kuhio Highway and Kuamoo Road.

George Thronas, Jr.: Very informative opportunity to see the proposed proposed Phase III of Ke Ala Hele Makalae. This will be beneficial to our kama`aina and malihini to get a completed and connected pathway from Kealia to Lydgate.

Hope that funding can be approved to include the makai section of this new Phase. Also like to see trash / recycling along pathways. Our residents / visitors will have a way of safely accessing shopping / eating through this pathway.

Mahalo for the opportunity.

Makai edge of Kuhio Highway near the closed Seashell Restaurant.

JoAnn Yukimura: Phase III of Ke Ala Hele Makalae shared path is an amazing and wonderful project that will benefit generations of bikers, walkers, families and individuals.

It's win-win in many ways—promoting recreation, exercise, health, commerce, and Kauai's attractiveness as a visitor destination, [while] also alleviating traffic.

Mahalo Kauai Path and all who are working to make this happen.

Near the mauka end of Fernandez Road, Waipouli.

Following are the candidates’ responses received to date to questions posed by Kauai Path.

Kauai Path: What impact do you think Ke Ala Hele Makalae has and will have on the County?

Lani Kawahara: Ke Ala Hele Makalae has had a positive effect on the County's residents and visitors. The County itself will be responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the path and enforcing appropriate use of the path. The County will also need to begin addressing budgeting for continued Path construction island-wide.

KP: Construction will soon begin to improve traffic flow through Wailua. Concurrently, the next Phase (III) of this shared-use path connecting Lydgate Park with Kapaa will begin. How can the Council and the Mayor facilitate rapid completion of this Phase of the pathway?

Lani Kawahara: The Council and the Mayor must work closely with state, federal and local officials to coordinate work on the path and the upcoming work to be done to improve traffic flow through the Kapaa corridor. The County and the Mayor must be open to taking advantage of any work on the Path that can be done in conjunction with other roadwork. Flexibility and close communication between the County and other stakeholders will be crucial to facilitating rapid completion of Phase III. Careful planning must take place to ensure the best use of County dollars.

The County must also make sure the public is well informed about all work being done on the roads and the Path.

KP: What problems might arise during construction of Phase III and how can they be addressed so construction is not delayed?

Lani Kawahara: Sea wall work, other erosion issues, private land ownership issues, permitting issues, contracting issues. Possible county employee overtime issues if work needs to be done on off peak hours. Again, county officials will have to be proactive about tackling the issues. Streamlining the permitting process without cutting corners will be a necessary undertaking.

KP: Consultants with expertise on shared-use paths in other communities have said Kauai needs a pathways master plan. Citizens in Koloa-Poipu, Hanalei-Princeville, and Kekaha have already expressed the need for paths in their areas. What kind of leadership is needed from the government to create a pathway master plan for Kauai?

Lani Kawahara: County leadership must embrace a pathways master plan. The benefits of an island wide path are innumerable as evidenced by the East Side path success.

The path has improved the quality of life on the East Side and the County must duplicate this success around the island for the benefit of all its residents.

photos by Randy Blake and Mark Olson

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