HANAPEPE — A single-lane bridge was built in 1911 to link the east and west ends of Hanapepe. One hundred years later that structure needs repair work but is still standing, prompting a centennial celebration Saturday. Dorothy “Kaku” Hayashi, who
HANAPEPE — A single-lane bridge was built in 1911 to link the east and west ends of Hanapepe. One hundred years later that structure needs repair work but is still standing, prompting a centennial celebration Saturday.
Dorothy “Kaku” Hayashi, who has spearheaded efforts to have repairs done on the bridge, read a letter from U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye at the event.
“This bridge is a symbol of history,” Inouye wrote. “It should be preserved for the future generations.”
Lyle Tabata, county deputy engineer, said plans for to make the bridge in compliance with the Americans for Disabilities Act have been submitted to the state.
Once approved, Tabata said bids will go out and repair and restoration work will begin. Contractors and the county will be doing the work.
Abby Santos, who serves on the bridge committee, said the years have caught up with the bridge. It has fallen into disrepair, she said, and funding is critical to its restoration.
Santos spoke during a public hearing before the Budget and Finance Committee on Aug. 25, 2010, on the $70,000 appropriation.
Tabata, who Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. described as “headstrong,” said she is hopeful everything will be done by the end of the year.
Steeped in history
Dr. Leila Nitta, principal of ‘Ele‘ele School, said the Hanapepe River Bridge serves as a connector of the past and present, and people want to preserve it for the future.
“It’s a single-lane bridge,” Nitta said. “You cannot have two cars on it, and that demonstrates people’s respect for each other where, through silent communication, one car crosses and the other waits. It is for this reason we need to preserve the bridge.”
Nitta said in addition to the performances provided by the ‘Ele‘ele School students, others have embraced the bridge, the fifth-grade students engaged in water quality testing.
“This just goes to show that we can work with the county,” Kahalekomo said.
State Sen. Ron Kouchi said the bridge has seen worker strikes where lives were lost so today’s laborers can have a better life.
“As a young boy, I’m standing in a spot pretty close to where Matilda’s was located,” Kouchi said. “This was before the days of microwaves and other fast foods.”
Carvalho said during his visits to see his uncles and aunts who lived in Hanapepe, he would play on the bridge, and even jumped from it, triggering calls for a hana hou.
Some residents had concerns about preserving a way of life if there are changes to the bridge.
“Once the restoration is done, no can catch crabs from the bridge,” said Aunty Janet Kahalekomo, emcee for the event. “If you like catch crabs, you gotta go to the new bridge. Catching crabs in Hanapepe River is part of our lifestyle here. We used to cross the bridge on Wednesdays and Sundays because of church.”
