Access to the beaches from Nawiliwili Bay to Hanama’ulu seemingly has always existed, and it seems likely it will remain so – even as plans for a multi-million dollar residential and golf course park unfold in Hanama’ulu. EWM Kauai LLC.
Access to the beaches from Nawiliwili Bay to Hanama’ulu seemingly has always existed, and it seems likely it will remain so – even as plans for a multi-million dollar residential and golf course park unfold in Hanama’ulu.
EWM Kauai LLC. has proposed a 426-acre project makai of Kuhio Highway north of Hanama’ulu town. It has been described by Kaua’i County as one of the largest proposed in East Kaua’i in some time.
Yet, EWM has promised to provide beach access, as required by the county zoning ordinance, said Kaua’i attorney Walton Hong, who represents the developer.
“The shoreline below the high water mark is open to the public and we don’t intend to stop people from going there,” Hong said.
The pledge to protect public shoreline access follows those made in 1980s by then-Hawai’i developer Chris Hemmeter. He built the Westin Hotel by Kalapaki Bay, the closest white sand beach to Lihu’e and a popular recreational site for residents and visitors.
The Kaua’i Marriott, the successor to the Westin, also has maintained access today.
In a sense, the pledges to protect the beach access bode well for a distant plan for a pedestrian/bicycle path spanning 16 miles from Nawiliwili Harbor to Anahola. The intent is to open shoreline for the public’s benefit.
The plan was partially initiated by Kaua’i County Councilman Bryan Baptiste, a declared mayoral candidate in this year’s election, and veteran councilman Kaipo Asing.
Each day, hikers, walkers, joggers, bicycle riders and fishermen use the shoreline from Nawiliwili Harbor to Hanama’ulu.
The beach areas makai of EWM’s proposed development site offer the ideal setting for a lazy day of fishing.
At an unhurried place, one can hunt for rare glass fish balls. The sounds of water lapping on the shoreline are soothing and provide for introspection. People also can hike along the coastline.
People are likely to have similar experiences even after the EWM project goes up.
The developer’s master plan calls for development of pathways to the beach.
Plans also call for the removal of ironwood trees and other trees damaged during Hurricane Iniki in 1992, became diseased and died.
As part of a large “renaturalization” landscaping plan, EWM, with approval by Kaua’i County, plans to plant naupaka, ‘ilimapapa, pohuehue, pa’u-o-Hi’iaka, hala and coconut trees.
Before the residential-golf project can be developed, EWM will need approval of land use changes by the state Land Use Commission and Kaua’i County.
The project will help provide continual beach access to Hanama’ulu Beach Park, a popular picnic and camping site for local residents and is used for Hawaiian canoe races.
The conditions in Hanama’ulu Bay look to be ideal for swimming, but the waters have been historically murky.
Hanama’ulu Stream, which crosses the southern end of the beach, discharges silt-laden waters into the bay.
The bay has been the scene of past pollution, partially the result of the introduction of fecal matter from pasture animals in the upper valleys.
The outer reaches of the bay are cleaner and are used by divers and fishermen.
Ahukini, an area south of Hanama’ulu Bay and adjacent to one of the runways at the Lihu’e Airport, also provides good shoreline fishing and is the occasional home for the homeless because of its remoteness.
In other times, parts of Ahukini was used as landing for interisland steamers that brought cargo to Kaua’i.
In the early 1920s, Ahukini Terminal Company built a 300-foot pier and breakwater and dredged a basin.
The pier was the first on the island to accommodate large vessels and was used extensively until the end of War II.
After the war, shipping activities were relocated to Nawiliwili Harbor, which was expanded to receive larger ships. The facilities at Ahukini Landing were slowly vacated, and by 1950, the site was abandoned.
The landing was converted into a park. Today, the Ahukini State Recreation Pier is a popular site for pole fishermen.
If fishing isn’t your choice, one can drive, walk or ride a bicycle on a rock studded road to Ninini Point, the site of a historic lighthouse and yearly Humpback Whale counts conducted by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
If one were to continue along the coastline, one can access Kalapaki Bay through the Marriott Hotel.
After one reaches Nawiliwili Harbor, one can get to Nawiliwili Park, commonly used for picnicking and community events and Niumalu Park, a popular site for organized canoe paddling.
