The DLNR is in the process of revising the EA based on public comments received and will pursue the required permits for the project, including a County Special Management Area permit. The public comment period ended November 7th, 2016.
State Parks has identified a need to reduce the risk posed by flash flooding of Hanakapiai Stream to hikers on the Kalalau Trail and to the County and State personnel who respond to hikers needing emergency assistance.
The purpose of the project is to reduce this risk and the need for emergency missions to rescue stranded hikers. Because of the local topography, Hanakapaiai Stream is prone to flash flooding, causing many hikers to be unable to safely ford the stream and return to the trailhead. In recent years, the number of hikers becoming stranded by Hanakapiai Stream flooding has increased, as has the number of air and ground rescue missions.
A number of hikers have died trying to cross the stream in flooding conditions. In addition, rescue personnel put themselves at risk trying to help stranded hikers.
This pedestrian bridge would significantly decrease the risk of hikers attempting to ford a flooded stream and the danger posed to Kaua’i Fire Department (KFD) personnel and other rescue responders while minimizing the costs to the County of Kaua‘i for conducting such rescues. Hanakapiai Beach is one of the most dangerous beaches on the island, with at least 30 drownings occurring since 1970 (Blay 2011). Strong rip currents swiftly pull swimmers away from the beach and down the coast to the west, where there is no safe beach access for over 3 miles. Hikers who try to cross the stream at high water levels can get washed out to sea and get injured or can drown, such as the visiting hiker who drowned in February 2013 (Star Advertiser 2013).
The number of emergency calls to rescue hikers trapped on the far side of Hanakapiai Stream have increased in recent years, due to the increase in the number of hikers and their varying skill levels to safely traverse the trail. Visitation to Hanak?p??ai Beach and the Kalalau Trail has increased from 1,000 to 2,000 visitors daily.
The proposed bridge across the Hanakapiai Stream provides a practical response to the need to address the risks to both hikers and responders, and to reduce the financial and operational burdens on KFD. The pedestrian bridge intends to fill this need with minimal impacts on the cultural and natural environment in the N?pali Coast State Wilderness Park and is not expected to increase the current usage and visitation of the park.
The bridge would be painted with a dark brown powder coating and the estimated cost of the proposed bridge project, including abutments, micropiles, trail improvements, helicopter installation and construction, is $506,000.
About 50 feet of new trail is planned to connect the bridge to the existing Kalalau Trail.
Construction is expected to take 10 weeks, according to the project’s DEA, and is set to begin in early 2018.
The installation of a bridge would significantly reduce the need for costly and dangerous helicopter rescues and would allow for rescue personnel to access the far side of the stream during dangerous conditions.