KAPA‘A — The Kaua‘i Police Department is in the early planning stages to build a new, $8-million Kawaihau police substation.
The proposed project consists of an approximately 7,020-square-foot building that is intended to serve the Kapa‘a community.
KPD has made a proposal to Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation to build the substation on an unused portion of land on the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital campus, immediately east of the Kawaihau and Iwaena roads intersection.
Currently, the Kapa‘a Armory building serves as KPD’s temporary Eastside substation.
“Police services in the area are not functioning at an optimal level right now due to the limited, temporary location which only facilitates a place for officers to complete paperwork,” said KPD Chief Todd Raybuck in a statement.
“The lack of basic operational functions like a training area and locker rooms requires our officers to travel to the Lihu‘e headquarters, which adversely impacts services that could otherwise be provided to the community,” Raybuck said.
The proposed single-story building would provide neighborhood public access to police services and include general administrative spaces and offices, a temporary holding area, interview rooms, a break room, a squad room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a multi-purpose training room, bathrooms and other support spaces.
The KPD has requested public input on a draft environmental assessment for the project, available at oeqc2.doh.hawaii.gov/Doc_Library/2021-07-23-KA-DEA-Kauai-Police-Department-Kapaa-Substation.pdf.
The published assessment offers interested parties the ability to review the proposed plans and provide public comments.
In August, KPD will be hosting community events so that the public will have an opportunity to see the preliminary building and site plan, provide feedback and ask questions in person. The meeting dates will be announced as soon as they are established.
“The building plans are not yet solidified, so we hope that this process will help us better determine what will be best for not only our police officers, but also the public and nearby neighborhood,” said Raybuck.
“This draft EA is a necessary preliminary step, and it is not an indication that this is a finalized, shovel-ready project,” he said. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet with interested parties and community members to discuss the draft EA. The feedback received from the public will allow us to consider community input as the planning progresses to ensure the project is suitable for the neighborhood.”
Comments are to be submitted by Aug. 23. Submit comments or requests to Doug Haigh, Building Division chief in the county Department of Public Works, at dhaigh@kauai.gov via email or by mail at 4444 Rice St., Suite 175, Lihu‘e, HI 96766-13450.
