WAILUA — Club Moto Kauai, a nonprofit that runs the Wailua Motocross Track, is moving forward with plans to relocate to a track in Kalepa near Hanamaulu.
The club plans to have the new Kalepa track built sometime in the next year or two.
“We just want to move forward and not look at the past. We’re starting new. This is all new – new club, new everything, new focus, new ideas. Starting fresh, it’s what we’re doing,” said Craig Arzadon, Club Moto Kauai board member.
In November, the Kauai County Council approved a 40-year license agreement with Club Moto Kauai for use of about 18 acres of land in Kalepa.
Arzadon said the club aims to build a better facility in Kalepa and that once that is complete, the club will cease operations in Wailua.
“We’re running out of dirt. What Kalepa brings is better material for a better facility,” Arzadon said. “Also, we’re moving away from the ocean. The salt just kills everything – our bikes and everything. If you don’t wash your bike or do anything, the salt just kills it. Emergency vehicles if they need to go in, the dirt road is pretty hammered at times. It gets muddy and everything. This new facility is right off the main Maalo Road. Easy access for emergencies and safety.”
In the meantime, though, the club has plans for the immediate future in Wailua.
Club Moto Kauai will host a meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Wailua track to discuss with the local dirt biking community its plans, which includes building a more kid-friendly track.
“We just want to make it, the facility, so that people feel safe and can enjoy themselves without feeling like they’re going to get hurt,” said Rick Hurst, track facilitator and club member. “We want to make it for everyone, and that’s why we’re going to make four separate tracks. And, we’re going to have a BMX section so that kids can come down with their bicycles and do their thing.”
Hurst added: “One of the important things is that we’re not for the 5 percent. We’re for the 95 percent. We’re for the majority. What the majority wants is what that track is going to be. It’s not going to be for the guy that wants to become a Supercross star. It’s going to for the majority, for people and families to enjoy themselves.”
Another change the club plans to discuss is a required fee to use the track. An exact number is to be determined.
“There was times when everybody paid at the gate, and it didn’t matter who you are. That money goes toward maintenance so that you can have a nice facility,” Hurst said. “But what happens is, you’re my friend and everybody else is your friend, and your kid is working the gate. ‘Uncle so-and-so is coming. Ah, let him come. No worries.’ All of sudden, you have 25 people there, and only two people paid. All of those things are going to change. Everybody is going to pay so that we can maintain this place and keep it right.”
Info: clubmotokauai@gmail.com
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
Congratulations to the dirtbike community we don’t ride at Wailua anymore but we used to years ago but we know people that do. We’re wondering and I bet not the only ones wondering how this was done? Our family has been ranchers at Kalepa for years, and we’ve always been under the impression that its agricultural land. How can they get approval for a dirtbike track to be built there? Our family & several others was never told about a track possibly being built in the area, as much as we like dirtbikes we don’t want it near our pastures. The article says this was signed in Nov of 2018 who allowed this to happen?, hope the new mayor and county officials know about this cause that was around the election time. Something seems fishy, and with the previous county official reputations it wouldn’t be off to assume.
as much as we like pastures we don’t want um near our moto track. u guna have to pasture somewhere else
Smart daboys stay way to show your ignorance and this the attitude of the dirtbike scene now. Good going
@Daboys–That’s quite an ignorant statement if you ask me. If we take a trip down memory lane, the PASTURES and RANCHERS were there way before your so called “Moto Track” I suggest you rally up all the Ranchers/Farmers who you have insulted in telling them to go “Pasture somewhere else” and see how far that gets you, and explain to them why they should go and “Pasture somewhere else”
County Council of Kauai, is this the type of Individuals that you’ve signed a 40 year lease to? Your voters and supporters must be very upset at your unanimous decision! INTERESTING
Pastures have been around long before a moto Track & contributes more to Kaua’i. If you trying to get the community to support the moto track scene you doing a bad job. If that’s the arrogant Attitude associated with it good luck you’ll need it.
The MX community in Hanamaulu has no supervision on allowing all those keiki to ride up and down the highway (by 7-11 and Kalepa Village Apts) and on side streets. When I last looked in the Hawaii Drivers Handbook, it was illegal to ride off-road vehicles on streets. The vehicles are not street legal and I know those riders have no insurance. Come on KPD, do your work and give tickets, and/arrest these violators/parents.
A Motorcycle track on agricultural Land? Come on County and State Officials, Who is responsible for disturbing Kauai Resources such as Farms to facilitate a Motorcycle Track. Sounds like a transaction that in the Corrupted Carvalho Era!
Agriculture Land turned into a Motorcycle Track? Now which of the Non-Qualified County/State officials approved this? Sounds like another under the table transaction.
Anonymous, about 10 years ago I was involved with a local group of people that tried to use an 18 acre ( approximate ) piece of land that, at the time, was dedicated to use as ” recreation “. It was on the back side of Kalepa and we wanted to make it into a staging area to access the mountain. Along with day use area, picnic tables, possible kids track.
We were involved with then mayor Bryan Baptiste.
The track people wanted a track, there were lots of issues with all kinds of details, it never came about due to the politics.
We used to have maps of the lot and surrounding area but I have forgotten where exactly it was.
I am sure that Craig and his group worked very hard to make this happen and I think it is a great thing for the community.
I just hope it doesn’t interfere with the farmer/ranchers.
I know they tried before and it was known, but we pay our monthly dues to be ranchers/farmers in kalepa. Was there a public announcement or proposal about this recently? At least not that we know of, it’s upsetting that it could possibly be near our pasture. We’re not the only ones not liking this.
I remember when they tried and almost got land up there before. No get me wrong all for progress in community. But why weren’t the ranchers and farmers ever informed or included in this decision, farmers and ranchers that pay monthly dues and that have to follow rules to have agriculture land. We’re not the only family upset about this it’ll guarantee disrupt ranchers and farmers dust, noise, traffic to name a few concerns. The whole part about that it was kept quiet all this time is the problem. But like you said I sure Craig and his group worked hard for this bet that the same Arzadon that works for the county as well? Interesting.
The Jurisdiction of Agriculture land does not serve a purpose for a Motorcycle Type facility if one is already in existence and has been around for years. Why the need to break a tradition. Understandably, change is sometimes needed, but to start all over from scratch can be a huge risk. Good Luck and Best Wishes… Aloha!
I remember that from before. No get me wrong all for progress in community. But why weren’t the ranchers and farmers ever informed or included in this decision farmers and ranchers pay monthly dues and follow rules to get agriculture land. We’re not the only family upset about this it’ll guarantee disrupt ranchers and farmers dust, noise, traffic. The whole part about that it was kept quiet all this time is the problem. But like you said I bet Craig and his group worked hard for this is that the same Arzadon that works for the county as well? Interesting.
Wait a damn minute….The County Council approved a 40 YEAR LEASE???? On Agriculture land? 40 Year Leases are a thing of the past…. And the County Council approved this? From reading the above comments Craig Arzadon works for County of Kauai that’s supposed to be serving the people? Approvals such as these should require a Public Hearing and not be approved behind closed doors. As a taxpayer, this does not sit well with me and I’m sure the same for the Ranchers! Interesting…County Council of Kauai you’d better rethink your decision …Remember what happened to the head of DLNR!!!
When was this approval ever brought to Public Hearing? You’d think that the Ranchers and Farmers who have been there for EONS would have been notified of a Dirtbike Facility on Ag Lands. Come on County Council, you guys approved a 40 year lease?
And for the stupid comment about “Go Pasture somewhere else” @Daboys… You should think twice before commenting Idiotic crap on a public feed where people who Ranch and Farm for a living can see it. It’s really not a smart idea coming on as a New “Lessee” with your chest popped out….But I guess you speak for Club Moto Kauai. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves.
Anonymous, as you well know it is ” who you know and what you do for me “. It’s all politics.
I have never enjoyed riding knowing I am making someone mad. Takes the fun out of it.
No matter where I live seems like farmers get the short end.
Hope Mayor Kawakami looks into this after reading the comments here. Thanks ah Garden Isle paper for posting this otherwise many wouldn’t have known this was going on. Interesting to see what happens now and how many ranchers you folks going convince for move. Ha!
who responsible for dis new club anyway? you guys is stupid for setting up shop in someplace new. Leave um in wailua and malama dat place first!
@ Da Rydahz
From coconot wireless seems like Craig is in charge of da new club and getting this new track land. He also works for the county…
the farmers and ranchers should rally up and stop this. many of them have worked so hard for some gopher to tell them to go put their pasture someplace else. Not pono !
Sounds like this article was put out for press and attention. Good luck. Hope you guys are still gung ho in the 1-2 years that you’ve promised the public.
it ain’t looking too bright for you club moto guys right now. really not a good idea to start off a new project with this much bad press. you guys better take into consideration all the turmoil this new moto track is causing. I personally wouldn’t be able to sleep at night knowing my actions are upsetting the community. But what can I say, I not one county worker.
lamest excuse for moving your guys track to kalepa. you guys never heard of moving dirt to the site? sure your track facilitator can make that happen. better think of another excuse next time cause da public not stupid.
Can’t build anything on Kauai without somebody complaining about it hahahaha… #kauaiaswhy
I taught darel dabin was in charge? wea he stay? he should have been upkeeping dis track all da time. commitment to dis sport is key. aloha!
Educate the youth and give them alternative things to do other then drugs.
back in the days used to come to labor day races at wailua with my family and crew. my advice, leave the track in wailua . so much memories there. no need change, just upkeep it like you guys said you was gonna do last year. not a good idea to just dump something to start a whole new track facility.
Go and check this out Propsed Ma’alo landfill project wildlife hazaed assessment. Look into this
First off this is why this island has turned into a drug nation because you guys don’t like us to have anything to do on this but sit around doing absolutely nothing because this island has nothing to do so kids fall into drugs cause it’s all they have the only (fun) they can find.
Second the person that said go pasture somewhere else does no way on earth represent any of us riders that’s some random rude unknlwledged person so don’t go saying where bad people cause if you even go out and try to get to know some real riders we are probably some of the most hard working humble people that just wanna enjoy 1 day a fricking week of our life having fun cause most of us work on the land our dam selves and go thru hell just to get thru life on this island filled with hateful people. It’s just a fricking dirtbike track which is just a few percent of this whole dam island what else do you want us to do? We ain’t got shit! We don’t wanna damage the land nor disrespect no one where just tryna ride our bikes and share fun amazing times with one another but we have almost no where to do so cause every single area was shutdown do to you complainers comeplaining for no reason. 90% of this island is pasture and private and what not so why are you all even crying that 2% of that is gonna be a track for people to have time with there family and what not. Yea it’s pilau and really annoying when kids are riding up and down the streets especially in sub divisions but they do so cause they got nothing else nor nowhere else to go 🤦🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️ Maybe if you guys would stop complaining and getting everything shut down and started feeling for your community that has nothing better to do with there lives but do stupid shit then why don’t you give this county some great ideas into making thisngs for the people to do on there free time activities facilities to do stuff amusement places ect. I really don’t understand why dirt biking is so hated we ain’t even doing no wrongs why don’t you go for the real criminals doing drugs selling stealing hurting abusing bullying neglecting damaging and vandalizing. Btw if we had more things to do then there would be less people on there dirt bikes so often. Won’t that make you happier?
I understand what you saying, we need more things for the kids. Wouldn’t that land bet better used for agriculture or to build something like your recommending. There’s already a well established motorcycle track in Wailua why not just stay there. Also isn’t there the Omao track so saying no more place to ride sounds just like another excuse. We not against trying for do better for the community but it’s the way this was done is what’s upsetting people. You said you don’t wanna damages the land but why they like move? “Running out of dirt” according to Arzadon…so what will a track do to the Kalepa area?
Brandon–It sounds like you have a bigger issue that should be taken up with the County Council and the Mayor. Clearly, if you read the article, the individuals that have a problem with this track facility are upset as to how this flourished–behind closed doors, you know the “POLITICAL” way.
No one is bashing dirt biking, but if you actually read their reasoning for relocating their track, running out of dirt can happen at the next location as well.