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.
Amazing use of public money. Much like Hardy and Rice streets in Lihue. Fixing problems that don’t exist and ignoring infrastructure problems that have been around for decades.
In all the years that we have been coming to Kauai and especially our favorite place to stay is Poipu Beach. We have always gone up tp Spouting Horn to visit and shop. But I hope you don’t
Raise the rent on these Vendors. When raising rent it raises prices and they were more competitive than other stores.
Aloha
Kimo, you absolutely right and one more thing – Lidgate Park ponds full to the brim with wood debris and no one is able to reach the water – the safeties place on the island for swimming of all ages starting from keiki to kupuna. Obviously, park department of Kauai has more important thinks to do, than the safety and convenient of the people. Almost 3 months and nothing, just a broken machine, they brought after the flooding, rusts and makes the picture surrealistic .
My first island was Kauai back in the 90’s and I’ve never really left. Spouting Horn was a daily visit for me every time I was there. It’s a special place to me and always will be in my heart. I just hope that the facelift doesn’t take away any of the real beauty and magical culture of this place!
Mahalo and A Hui Hou.
But the vendors are gone and have been for the last 4 years