KAPA‘A — A blessing and groundbreaking for the next segment of Ke Ala Hele Makalae, the multi-use path, was held in Kapa‘a this morning at Gore Park near Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, according to a county press release. The new
KAPA‘A — A blessing and groundbreaking for the next segment of Ke Ala Hele Makalae, the multi-use path, was held in Kapa‘a this morning at Gore Park near Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, according to a county press release.
The new section — referred to as the Kawaihau Spur — will be an offshoot of the main path, spanning approximately one-half mile from the intersection of Kawaihau Road and Kuhio Highway, and ending at the top of the hill at Gore Park.
“We are very pleased to begin work on this segment of the multi-use path, which incorporates Complete Streets principles that encourage residents to engage in physical activity,” Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. said. “Soon travelers in the area will be able to go to and from Kapa‘a town using this path as an alternative to driving.”
An existing footpath will serve as the foundation for the spur, which will be 10- to 12-feet wide and constructed of concrete. Completion of this segment is expected by the end of 2012.
To accommodate people with disabilities, an elevated boardwalk will be incorporated into the spur at a later date as a separate project.
When the entire path is finished, it will cover roughly 30 miles from Anahola to Nawiliwili, mostly along the coast. So far, 6.8 miles of the path has been built.
Kaikor Construction was awarded a $3.75 million contract to construct the Kawaihau Spur and the Papaloa Road segment, which will also be starting soon.
“We’re working on the other phases simultaneously,” said Building Division Chief Doug Haigh, who has served as manager of the multi-use path project since the beginning. “It’ll be a few years before it’s all completed, but the view afforded by Ke Ala Hele Makalae will be unsurpassed.”
Phase III, which includes two miles from Lydgate Park in Wailua to Lihi Park in Kapa‘a, will connect the completed portions of the path. Divided into segments, the part that runs alongside the Bryan J. Baptiste Memorial Bridge was completed last March. The rest of Phase III is at various stages of development.
Phase IV, from Lydgate Park to Ahukini Landing, and Phase VI, from Nawiliwili to Ahukini Landing, are going through the environmental assessment process. After the final EA is completed, the next step will be the special management area and Conservation District Use permitting process.
Planning for Phase V, from Kuna Bay (Donkey’s Beach) to Anahola, is currently on hold.
