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Renovated Hanalei Bridge officially blessed
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| The rebuilt historic Hanalei Bridge was dedicated Saturday afternoon as U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, c., closed off a busy day on Kaua‘i. Taking part in the blessing with Inouye were, l. to r., state Department of Transportation deputy director Bruce Matsui, Barbara Robeson and Carol Wilcox of the Hanalei Roads Committee, Steve Kyono of the state DOT's Kaua‘i highways office, Abe Wong of the Federal Highways Administration and Kahu Richard Kamanu of the First Hawaiian Church of Kapa‘a. |
By TGI Staff
HANALEI - U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye took part in a blessing ceremony for the recently rebuilt Hanalei Bridge held Saturday afternoon.
Members of the Hanalei Roads Committee have waged a 25-plus year battle to save the bridge, which was scheduled to be replaced at one time with a modern concrete structure.
Inouye said the five-year project that cost about $2 million in federal funds to complete was something the North Shore community should be proud of. ‘It's an example of what can happen when true cooperation takes place," Inouye said of the work by the Hanalei organization in coordination with the state of Hawai‘i's Department of Transportation and federal agencies.
The group's efforts have resulted in the bridge being replicated with a new steel structure that is a close duplicate of the original truss bridge built at Hanalei in 1912. A second truss, constructed in the 1960s, sits underneath the landmark overhead bridge structure, and bears much of the weight of traffic crossing over the Hanalei River.
Prior to the reconstruction, parts of the rusting structure were encased in chicken wire to keep pieces from falling onto traffic below. A national travel magazine rated the bridge one of the most dangerous in the United States.
The community at Hanalei consider the bridge the gateway to the Hanalei and Ha‘ena areas, which are considered some of the most beautiful areas in all Hawai‘i.
The bridge has been kept to one lane, and is now considered an historical monument, as well as a bridge.
Speakers at the blessing included Inouye, state Department of Transportation deputy director Bruce Matsui, Abe Wong of the Federal Highways Administration, Makaala Ka‘aumoana of the Hanalei Watershed Hui, plus Barbara Robeson and Carol Wilcox of the Hanalei Roads Committee.
Members of the Hanalei Roads Committee have waged a 25-plus year battle to save the bridge, which was scheduled to be replaced at one time with a modern concrete structure.
Inouye said the five-year project that cost about $2 million in federal funds to complete was something the North Shore community should be proud of. ‘It's an example of what can happen when true cooperation takes place," Inouye said of the work by the Hanalei organization in coordination with the state of Hawai‘i's Department of Transportation and federal agencies.
The group's efforts have resulted in the bridge being replicated with a new steel structure that is a close duplicate of the original truss bridge built at Hanalei in 1912. A second truss, constructed in the 1960s, sits underneath the landmark overhead bridge structure, and bears much of the weight of traffic crossing over the Hanalei River.
Prior to the reconstruction, parts of the rusting structure were encased in chicken wire to keep pieces from falling onto traffic below. A national travel magazine rated the bridge one of the most dangerous in the United States.
The community at Hanalei consider the bridge the gateway to the Hanalei and Ha‘ena areas, which are considered some of the most beautiful areas in all Hawai‘i.
The bridge has been kept to one lane, and is now considered an historical monument, as well as a bridge.
Speakers at the blessing included Inouye, state Department of Transportation deputy director Bruce Matsui, Abe Wong of the Federal Highways Administration, Makaala Ka‘aumoana of the Hanalei Watershed Hui, plus Barbara Robeson and Carol Wilcox of the Hanalei Roads Committee.
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| Inouye: $2.5 million to fight Kaua‘i's ice epidemic | Eastside economy doing well thanks to strong retail market and health service sector |
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Kapahiresident wrote on Sep 26, 2009 6:56 AM:
" The Kauai Pow is a wonderful family event and is free!
Saturday Gates Open 11 am
Saturday Opening Ceremonies Noon
Saturday Evening Social Dancing for All 5 pm to 7 pm
Come join us in dancing with our Native American friends.
Let's dance in our circle together from 5 to 7 pm Saturday Night.
Sunday 10 am to 5pm
Pow Wow at Kapaa Beach Park by Kapaa Library
Bring your whole family! No alcohol or drugs allowed.
Free Admission "
Saturday Gates Open 11 am
Saturday Opening Ceremonies Noon
Saturday Evening Social Dancing for All 5 pm to 7 pm
Come join us in dancing with our Native American friends.
Let's dance in our circle together from 5 to 7 pm Saturday Night.
Sunday 10 am to 5pm
Pow Wow at Kapaa Beach Park by Kapaa Library
Bring your whole family! No alcohol or drugs allowed.
Free Admission "
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Juan 3imtiaco wrote on Jul 14, 2009 12:37 PM:
Juan "