The Kilauea Point Natural History Association is entering the final stretch of its capital campaign, implemented about a year ago to raise funds for vital restoration projects of the historic lighthouse on Kaua‘i’s northernmost point.

Since the Kilauea community expressed desire to restore the lighthouse in 2002, numerous projects have been completed to keep the structure in tact, with most focusing on the rapidly deteriorating metal work of the top section. KPNHA wants to begin replacing the top’s damaged metal with stainless steal by spring or summer of next year, hoping to stop corrosion.

The capital campaign, headed by retired Verizon/GTE technician and Kilauea resident Gary Pacheco, is entering its final segment. The five-segment campaign ends with Pacheco’s major segment, the final effort to get everyone who cares about the lighthouse to learn about the association’s work.

Pacheco, who remembers helping the lighthouse keepers with maintenance duties as a child, said he believes the historic structure holds importance for everyone in the community.

“When I was growing up it was our beacon,” Pacheco said. “It was not only navigational for boats but for the people of Kilauea.”

Fish and Wildlife services say the lighthouse and surrounding area, which also serves as a wildlife refuge, entertains and educates some 500 visitors a day. Local business owners consider these visitors a major stimulant of the Kilauea economy.

KPNHA members hope to replace metals, reopen ventilation and ultimately restore the lighthouse to full functionality by the lighthouse’s centennial celebration in 2013. The current project of replacing metals will cost the association $460,000, but work cannot begin until all the money is raised.

Donald McConnell, the chair of the capital campaign’s family segment chair and a member of KPNHA’s board of directors, said although government money has been given to the association, there are regulations that keep them from throwing all of it into this project.

“Government money is not just sitting in our lap for us to do what we want to do,” McConnell said.

There are three other buildings on site. The buildings, which used to provide housing to lighthouse keepers, are now used for office space.

“These buildings are in bad shape as well,” McConnell said. “Some of the government money will go to fixing up these buildings, too.”

With money raised through the capital campaign, wildlife service and stimulus plan, KPNHA approximates they have about two-thirds of the funds needed to begin their restoration of the lighthouse’s metal.

The group hopes to secure the rest of the money within the next three or four months.

Anyone interested in learning more about the association and its fundraising efforts can visit www.kilaueapoint.org.