HANALEI — County officials on Tuesday announced their intention to initiate a master plan for Hanalei Beach Park that includes the management of activities at this popular destination, a county news release states.
“Our residents want to protect and enjoy this resource, and it will take careful planning and management to ensure this happens,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. “Hanalei is one of Kaua‘i’s natural treasures. We must start now to better protect and sustain this resource for future generations.”
The mayor expects the community to play a significant role in the planning process, the release says.
The county’s long-term vision for the north shore park includes: adequate parking facilities; additional pavilions; improved restrooms; and a plan for managing and limiting commercial activities within the park.
In recent years, the county has been pursuing land acquisition opportunities in Hanalei including:
— The transfer of a portion of Black Pot Beach Park to the County through an executive order from the State in 2008.
— $350,000 from the Special Trust Fund for Parks and Playgrounds for the future purchase of a parcel adjacent to Hanalei Pier.
— $1.85 million from the county’s Open Space Fund has been set aside to purchase the Hodge parcel.
— Supported the efforts of the Kaua’i Public Land Trust in lobbying the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for $750,000 from the Legacy Lands Acquisition Fund, which is funded through a percentage of state conveyance taxes. The money would go towards the purchase of the Hodge parcel.
“We look forward to Gov. Lingle releasing the legacy lands monies so we can move forward with this acquisition,” said the mayor.
Other parcels the county is hoping to acquire include two fronting the Hanalei River, one owned by Michael Sheehan and the other by Montage Hotels & Resorts.
Montage has pledged to deed their parcel to the county once a master plan for Hanalei Beach Park is completed.
“We are very appreciative of the Montage offer and will be working towards initiating the master plan process in the next couple of years,” said the mayor.
