Over the next four weeks, as a six-month improvement project gets underway on the popular Makapuu Trail, its mile-long path to the lighthouse will be closed on weekdays.
Beginning Monday, contractors of Haron Construction Inc. will begin repair and construction work along the trail. The project is estimated to cost $2.7 million.
THE PROJECT
A six-month renovation of the mile-long Makapuu Trail:
» Cost: $2.7 million
» Viewpoints: Four small, new lookouts will be created along the makai side of the trail.
» Top spot: Upper summit lookout will grow and get an upgrade in materials. A concrete path will link upper and lower summit lookouts.
» Roadwork: Aging metal culverts under asphalt path will be replaced.
CLOSURE SCHEDULE
Tentative closure schedule for Makapuu Trail:
» Feb. 9 through 13
» Feb. 17 through 20
» Feb. 23 through 27
» March 2 through March 5
» July 20 through July 24
» July 27-28
» The closure dates are subject to change. For schedule updates, go to the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks website at www.hawaiistateparks.org.
HISTORIC SITE IS POPULAR WITH THE PEOPLE
» The Makapuu Trail was first built in 1909 as a dirt access road to the Makapuu Lighthouse as well as to the lighthouse-keeper residences at the summit.
» Improvements to the road were made during the 1930s to accommodate vehicles. Improvements included paving of the road, construction of culverts and ditches, retaining walls and installation of rock-and-mortar vehicle barriers.
» The Makapuu Point Lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
» Approximately 400 people hike the trail daily.
» About 75 percent of hikers using Makapuu Trail are state residents.
Source: Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks
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At a news briefing held at the trail head Thursday, Daniel Quinn, interim first deputy director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, said, "We want to make sure that everyone in the community knows that we’re working hard to make sure there’s access to the area during construction. But for everyone’s safety, it’ll have to be closed during the weekdays for about four weeks from Monday."
The first part of the project will involve replacing metal culverts under the mile-long asphalt path that winds up to the lighthouse, Quinn said, noting that the aging culverts are causing some areas of the path to crumble and cave in.
Starting on March 6, the state plans to open one side of the trail on weekdays while construction continues. Officials said hikers can expect noise, dust and delays due to machinery moving about. During this time, hikers are advised to use caution and to adhere to directions given by on-site security officials.
In late July, when the overall project is slated to wrap up, the trail will be closed again as contractors repave the entire path, which is now dotted with cracks and potholes.
During Thursday’s briefing, state park officials showed the media various areas on the trail where repairs are needed.
Some of the planned improvements include:
» Widening the summit lookout area’s floor to 11 by 16 feet from 10 by 10 feet.
» Adding a new concrete walkway to connect the two uppermost lookouts.
» Replacing the corroded chain-link fencing and posts at the summit with a retaining wall and stainless-steel railing.
» Constructing four new small lookouts at the viewing areas with retaining walls along the makai side of the trail.
Throughout the length of the project, the trail will be open on weekends and holidays. Some viewing areas, however, might be closed while contractors work on the lookouts.
About 400 people, residents and visitors alike, use the trail daily. Even more hike there on weekends for stellar views of the ocean and the Windward coastline.
The site is family-friendly for all ages. Dogs are also allowed on the trail.
The summit is an ideal spot for whale watching during the humpback whale season, from December and May, when the endangered species migrates to Hawaii from Alaska. Among the improvement project’s upgrades: installation of two binoculars at the whale-watching lookout.
During Thursday’s clear, cool morning, Ewa Beach resident Tammy Lorenzo hiked to the summit with her sister, Joy Feider of Seattle, who said binoculars will be a welcomed addition to the trail.
"We forgot ours today," said Feider, noting that the hike marked her first visit to Makapuu Trail.
Barb Boersma of Michigan, who is visiting family in Hawaii, said she supports widening the floor area at the uppermost lookout.
"It gets a little crowded. It’ll be nice to stretch out a little bit," Boersma said.
Park staff passed out fliers to hikers Thursday to inform them of the upcoming closures. A sign with information about the upcoming construction work is posted at the trail head. Parks Interpretive Program supervisor Martha Yent said an email detailing the trail’s closure schedule will be sent to tour companies.
The state said the Ka Iwi shoreline will remain open during construction work, but the public must enter the site from the Sandy Beach end of the park when the trail is closed.
Built in 1909, the initial dirt trail served as an access road to the lighthouse and three lighthouse-keeper residences at the summit, according to a DLNR news release. The trail underwent changes during the 1930s that included paving as well as installation of rock-and-mortar vehicle barriers and culverts.
In recent years the trail’s edges have been eroding, touching off safety concerns for hikers as well as the state and the Coast Guard officials who use vehicles on the trail to conduct maintenance work at the site. Among other trouble spots are dry-stacked rock retaining walls that are not stable. The state plans to reconstruct the walls.
Construction work at the Makapuu Trail was last done in 2006, when the state built a new entry road and put in a 36-stall parking lot.
