HAENA — A Friday meeting to update the community on plans and work to help the North Shore rebuild and recover from April’s flooding turned testy at times, with occasional angry shouts.
About 200 people gathered at YMCA Camp Naue for the much-anticipated gathering that brought out representatives of four state departments to explain the latest on highway construction, parks, the upcoming school year and mental health resources.
It hasn’t been easy, with many feeling the stress of having the area’s two state parks closed, and the challenge of having the area’s only highway to get in and out severely damaged, restricting access, and “compounding residents’ feelings of both weariness and wariness.”
Throughout the meeting, commentary and opinions came from the crowd in heated bursts as officials touched on each topic. Voices from the crowd were passionate while others were frustrated and upset, and eventually the meeting developed into a contested debate.
District Engineer Larry Dill with the Department of Transportation spoke on changes to the convoy schedule and weekend closures.
HDOT leadership reiterated that they are still targeting the end of October for reopening the highway. Significant work continues to reconstruct the roadway embankment, restore guardrails and add safety improvements such as signing and striping.
Three to six weekend closures are anticipated in order to complete bridge work. During weekend closures a shuttle or ferry system will be established on the Wainiha and Haena side of the Waikoko Bridge. Two weeks advance notice will be given in advance for each weekend closure, Dill said.
“No way!” one person shouted.
After others vocalized complaints, one man cried out, “Be quiet! I don’t like what they’re saying either, but we still need to hear it.”
Following a protest Monday at the Waioli Bridge against preliminary construction work there, Dill agreed to put construction on hold until the meeting. DOT said that they will be moving forward with construction. The agency plans to rehabilitate the bridge instead of replacing the original one built in 1912.
Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen with DOT said the agency plans to upgrade or replace the Waikoko, Waioli, and Waipa bridges and that it needs to be done because they show significant signs of deterioration.
Many, however, shouted in protest against the plan to continue construction of the historic bridges on the North Shore.
“You have to understand we are some of the last living Hawaiians,” one person said.
She continued to say that their voice needs to be heard and that consulting with Native Hawaiians is necessary when it is about any decisions made on Native Hawaiian lands.
Another woman’s voice added to the discussion, “Do not do any changes to the historic bridges, ever.”
Although construction work on the Waioli Bridge is part of DOT’s plans and expects to start soon, a memorandum of understanding or MOU must be signed and approved before they can move forward with construction.
DOT says the expected time for when road construction and repairs will be completed and be reopened to the public is still set for the end of October.
Department of Land and Natural Resources Administrator of state parks Curt Cottrell said that construction on the parks will begin next week and hopes to finish construction work in Haena State Park and Napali Coast State Wilderness Park by November. The parks will remain open to local residents during construction.
The dirt parking lot was badly damaged and will be repaired and resurfaced. The pedestrian path going from the lot to Ke’e Beach and the Kalalau Trailhead will be realigned from a dangerous rock fall area to a new boardwalk which crosses through a taro loi.
“Ultimately, DLNR State Parks recognizes that many community members would like to see the establishment of a permanent shuttle system as a way to better control the number of people in the parks at any given time,” according to a press release.
Cottrell said the repairs and improvements will allow for the future consideration and implementation of such a system.
Officials from the Department of Health offered information for those struggling with stress and anxiety due to trauma and damage caused by the April floods.
Complex Area Superintendent Bill Arakaki said the satellite school in Haena will be re-opening Aug. 6, and will be open for at least the first quarter of the new school year.
There are about 65 students in the area. There will be bus service provided for students to get to class. DOE is still in the process of hiring teachers for the campus.
Someone asked “What about kids arriving after school breakfast time?”
Arakaki answered that children who will be arriving after the usual breakfast times will be accommodated so they can still receive a meal before class starts.
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The title of Curt Cottrell has been corrected in this story.
