The Hawaii State and County dignitaries as well as local activists gathered recently to celebrate the 100 year Anniversary of the historic Hanalei bridge. This was a touching ceremony with many stories shared about the efforts and dedication of a few North Shore women who persisted in opposing the proposed widening (I almost said improving) of the Hanalei bridge in the late 70's and early 80's. The Government intention at the time was to bring it up to national standards which would have expanded the bridge into dual 11 foot wide lanes with 3 foot corriders on each side. Image from here.
U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye remembered being barraged with letters and phone calls from the local ladies and truly credited them with preserving the structure. County Council member JoAnn Yukimura spoke of the significance that the bridge has played in keeping Hanalei a rural and charming town. She pointed out that had the bridge been expanded so would the growth of Hanalei, with larger roads comes the potential for bigger stores, increased boating, visitor lodging and tour buses. Clearly Hanalei would not be as charming as it is today if this bridge had been allowed to widen.
Rep. Derek Kawakami made a statement which truly impacted me, he pointed out that by stopping at the bridge before entering Hanalei it forces you to do something that we all need to be reminded of, to slow down, stopping forces you to slow the pace of your vehicle and your life while you enter a sanctuary and a truly special place. The Hanalei Bridge has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2004 and a special thanks to Carol Wilcox for bringing her personal album that contained numerous magazine articles and newspaper clippings from the mentioned time period.