Question: In regards to news that the Makapuu Trail will be closed for repair: It will take up to six months (probably longer). Repaving, adding seating areas, better lookout areas, etc., are all good. But why can’t there be any money put aside to add some basic needs, like portable toilets, or some way to have some water available for people to have?
Answer: The reasons no water will be available and no restroom facilities are being built?
No. 1: cost. No. 2: community opposition.
However, it’s possible that some kind of comfort station may be provided in the unspecified future.
The current $2.7 million capital improvement project is only for access-related improvements, pointed out Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
"All through the planning and development process to create Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, the Division of State Parks has sought to balance input from communities on either side of Makapuu Point, who want to preserve the wild character of this area, and needs of the growing number of park users and hikers," she said.
Curt Cottrell, assistant administrator of state parks, explained that there is no water on-site for a comfort station and said bringing it in to the remote area would be "extremely costly."
While the Kaiwi Master Plan, at one point, called for a comfort station in another location near the shoreline, the greater need is for a comfort station at the parking area, he said.
"The original plan also called for double the parking, but the community did not support that parking volume," Cottrell said. "The community was in opposition during the Kaiwi acquisition and planning process for any structural development except for an interpretive facility."
That all said, the Division of State Parks is "investigating" bringing in either an event trailer-style Porta Potty or a vault-style comfort station that requires pumping "in recognition of the public’s needs and for public health," he said.
Closure Reminder
Repairs and improvements to the Makapuu Lighthouse Road trail involve reconstructing sections of the stacked rock retaining wall, replacing metal culverts under the road and repaving the asphalt road.
New lookouts also will be constructed along the trail.
The project, expected to last six months, will involve 25 days of park closures — Mondays through Fridays only — during February, March and July.
The parking lot and trail will be open during regular park hours on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. (until 7:45 p.m. after April 1).
The project will not affect the Makapuu Lookout off Kalanianaole Highway, and the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline will remain open during the project.
However, during the park closures, the parking lot of the Makapuu Trail will be closed, so the public must enter from the Sandy Beach end of the park.
The Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline consists of 347 acres, including 38 acres at the summit of Makapuu Head, 308 acres of the Wawamalu shoreline and the 1-acre Makapuu Lookout off Kalanianaole Highway, according to DLNR.
Mahalo
To attorney Todd Eddins. My wife and I were dining at a Chinese restaurant during the holidays when he walked in to pick up takeout. I had met him years ago. When I went to pay the bill, I was told it was already paid by Mr. Eddins. May the Lord bless him always for his generosity and kindness. — Dutch & Lorraine
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