Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance collaborated with Senator Gary Hooser and Kauai‘’s legislators to secure a $1,225,000 Grant-In-Aid from the 2007 Hawai‘i State Legislature. The grant has made possible major improvements in two of Kaua‘i’s most popular parks—Koke‘e State Park and the Napali Coast Wilderness Park.

The Governor released those funds in 2009, and since then Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance has made steady progress. We hired Thomas Noyes to serve as parks project manager, met with Department of Land Natural Resources officials, and convened a Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) to provide input as the Kalalau Trail work progresses. The Kalalau Trail Restoration and Reconstruction project has been awarded to Pono Pacific Land Management, LCC.

More infomation on Kalalau Trail

Work is progressing at the Koke‘e Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp to renovate several 1930s era structures, including two of the large barracks shown here with Hui o Laka’s executive director Marsha Erickson. Hui o Laka has enlisted the aid of Frank O. Hay as their project manager, James Niess of Maui Architectural Group has been retained to prepare plans and direct the renovations, and Kikiaola Construction Company will be hired to do the actual renovations.

 

Strong roles for volunteers and community engagement are central to both projects. Contact Pono Pacific for information on Friends of Kalalau Trail volunteer workdays, and Hui o Laka for information on their volunteer programs.

Supported by the State of Hawai‘i and the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks through an appropriation made by the Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i.