LIHU‘E — Construction of the Kawaihau Spur of the county multi-use path has stopped, but it doesn’t mean the project is abandoned. The final phase of the project is scheduled to start this summer, according to county officials. County spokeswoman
LIHU‘E — Construction of the Kawaihau Spur of the county multi-use path has stopped, but it doesn’t mean the project is abandoned.
The final phase of the project is scheduled to start this summer, according to county officials.
County spokeswoman Mary Daubert said the Kawaihau Spur of the Ke Ala Hele Makalae, or the path that goes along the coast, is being built in two phases.
“The first phase was completed in December, and construction on Phase II, an elevated boardwalk to accommodate people with disabilities, is scheduled to begin this summer,” she said.
The original estimate for the elevated boardwalk came in at roughly $3 million.
Seeking more affordable alternatives, the administration looked into a partnership with federal agencies in an effort to reduce the cost of the project, according to Parks and Recreation Director Lenny Rapozo at a presentation to the Kaua‘i County Council in August 2011.
Daubert said this week that the Federal Highways Administration and the federal Department of Defense are partnering with the county on Phase II.
“DOD is providing the labor and equipment, and FHWA is covering the cost of the materials,” she said. “Currently, DOD is doing value engineering on the project to see where savings can be realized. Then, the project consultant will revise and finalize the plans.”
A completion date for the Kawaihau Spur has not been set yet, Daubert said.
The spur
North of Kapa‘a town, at the intersection of Kuhio Highway and Kawaihau Road, the partially built spur for the multi-use path goes though a series of switchbacks all the way up to Gore Park, near Mahelona Medical Center.
The path’s foundation has been already bulldozed through the area, with tiny pink surveying flags stuck on the ground all along the path’s course.
The bottom and top sections of the spur have already been built by a private contractor hired by the county; the same contractor that built the path at Papaloa Road, north of Wailua Beach.
The connecting part of the project goes though a somewhat steep area with natural vegetation, full of shrubs, cactuses, palm trees and few other tall trees.
This section of the path will be built as an elevated boardwalk. The zig-zag pattern will offset how steep the terrain is and make the spur accessible to persons with disabilities.
Safety
Once path users go beyond the already-built cement path and into the land where the elevated sidewalk will be built, public safety could be an issue.
Daubert said the county does not close its parks at night, so technically, the public is able to access park facilities after dark.
“This segment of the path won’t be lit artificially at night, so the public would need to take that into account and use their best judgment,” she said.
Based on a site inspection Friday, it appears that the vegetation is tall enough to completely block the view of the boardwalk at most places.
Additionally, a camping tent and a tarp have been set up into the woods adjacent to the path, suggesting somebody may be living there.
“It would be up to the best judgment of the individual whether he or she can safely use the facility — whether it’s the path, a beach park or another recreational facility — based on lighting, etc.,” Daubert said.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
