PO‘IPU– Construction on new booths for vendors at Spouting Horn on the south side of Kaua‘i has started, a plan that began at the Kaua‘i County Council two years ago.
The vendors have been a feature at the landmark, which is frequented by both visitors and residents — drawn in by a magical water spout that is formed by rocks and reef in the area and reaching as high as 15 to 30 feet in the air when the waves crash into a seaside cave.
Before the pandemic, both tourists and residents could stroll along the walking path which starts from the parking lot and ends at the spouting horn, while browsing or shopping for local trinkets. Now the vendor shacks are emptied out, quite old, and rotting away in red dirt.
So, while travel is restricted and the number of visitors is low on the island, Parks and Recreation is making moves to rebuild the vendor facilities and revamp the bathrooms.
Earlier this month, Shioi Construction began the groundwork of a new floor foundation currently being built behind of the old Spouting Horn Vender location on the Southside, according to deputy director of Parks and Recreation Wallace Rezentes Jr.
“The existing booths will be removed and replaced with new booths and shelter,” said Rezentes Jr about the project. “Repairs will also be done to the comfort station.”
A construction worker at the site said the lot they were currently working on was about 60 by 38 sq. feet. Although the project is estimated to be finished in six months, it is also projected to be finished sooner.
At a February 2018 meeting, the Kaua‘i County Council approved a wording change in a county ordinance that would have ended vendor kiosks at Spouting Horn.
Then-deputy director of parks and recreation Lenny Rapozo told councilmembers in the discussion that the kiosks should be supported because the help provide money for park maintenance.
Rearranging the design and upgrading facilities are all part of the plan to attract more people to Spouting Horn for shopping and sightseeing, and to better the flow of traffic and people in the small area.
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Stephanie Shinno, features and community reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
