LIHUE — Kauai officials say the rocky start to reopening Kuhio Highway past Waipa was expected, and they’ve been making adjustments as needed to rules and operations on the North Shore.
The shuttle operated by The Hanalei Initiative is in full swing, parking is being policed, and residents in the area are taking it upon themselves to collect data for state departments.
A group calling itself “Kuhio Highway Regulation” is tallying the number of cars visiting the Haena area, as well as providing information on a new website.
“On the North Shore, everything is still a work in progress, but I am optimistic that we are making positive steps towards a harmonious system thanks to the strong partnerships and collaboration between our state, county, and non-government organizations such as the Kauai Visitors Bureau and The Hanalei Initiative, and of course the Wainiha-Haena community,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami.
He pointed out that the Haena State Park Master Plan is being implemented, and said improvements to the park have “significantly lowered the impact of overcrowding at that site.”
“These are all steps in the right direction,” Kawakami said.
Kauai police officers from Hanalei to Kee have been monitoring parking.
“Our officers have also been working special enforcement projects at varying hours of the day throughout the week,” said KPD spokeswoman Kim Tamaoka.
Since the road opening, KPD has issued at least 10 parking citations, and warnings as well.
“The increased presence of officers in the area has reduced the interest and opportunity to park illegally,” Tamaoka said.
Overall, KPD says enforcement of parking rules has been “adequate,” thanks to multiple-agency partnerships, higher fines, new signage and public education.
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Jessica Else, environment reporter, can be reached at 245-0452 or jelse@thegardenisland.com.
Should have dedicated officer and tow truck. 500 dollar fine.
Kawakami is useless. If we have a group that starts a website and is regulating what is going on there, it just shows that things are not getting done, and that things are out of hand. Kawakami just shows up for pictures.
“improvements to the park have “significantly lowered the impact of overcrowding at that site.””
Really? It’s only been open less than a month. How would we know? What metric are we using to measure “impact”? If your metric is number of visitors turned away, then yes, a rousing success. Please implement MORE “improvements” such as no shoes allowed on the trail (hiking shoes are hard on the trail and the mud gets tracked everywhere!), at least for visitors. And how about no drinking fountain or showers? At least for visitors. Drinking water just makes you pee and showering just means more sweat and skin products that don’t get packed out.
“reduced the interest…to park illegally”
More likely it has increased the “interest” as there is no placd to park legally.