March 14, 2014 To: Mary Buza-Sims, Chairperson Members of the Kōke‘e State Park Advisory Council From: Lauren Tanaka, Planner Division of State Parks Subject: Changes to the Kōke‘e and Waimea Canyon State Parks Master Plan Based on the KSPAC Recommendations dated September 17, 2013, Meetings held with Chipper Wichman on July19, 2013 and January 22, 2014, and Related PIG Correspondences This memo documents the changes that were made to the December 2013 version of the Master Plan. Page 1-4, Plan Selection and Refinement To avoid confusion about the various alternatives considered, it is stated that Alternative 2, Remedial Plan was selected. The reference to a Park Facility Development Plan was deleted. Page 1-6, Park Entry Station Three bullets were revised to read as follows: Establish a presence that may serve to deter unauthorized and/or criminal activities Provide park orientation and an informational brochure to park visitors. Collect entry fees from non-resident visitors and commercial operators to fund park operations and maintenance, including road improvements. Page 1-7, Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow/Park Headquarters The fifth bullet, Center for Visitor amenities (food and gift shop) was deleted. Page 1-8, Kalalau Lookout The first bullet was deleted and read: “Realign Kōke‘e Road to create a stop controlled T-intersection at the entrance to the Kalalau Lookout parking lot with right-hand turn towards Pu‘u o Kila”. Page 1-8, Lower Elevation Turnouts The reference to ADA accessible pathways and signage was deleted and replaced with: Improvements in these areas will be made to create safe turnouts. Page 1-10, Educational/Interpretive Programs The fourth bullet was revised to read: “Use the CCC camp facilities to conduct educational programs or cultural activities that enhance resource management and stewardship of the forest resources, including traditional Hawaiian practices as well as the practices of Kaua‘i’s other ethnic groups.” Page 1-10, Public Service The second bullet was revised to read: “A Park Interpretive Technician, in uniform, will inform park visitors of interpretive services and parks features and may provide a presence that could serve to deter illegal activities.” Page 1-14, Table 1-4 The title of the table was changed to Master Plan Capital Improvement Projects Cost Estimate and Phasing be to be consistent with Table 7-7. Page 3-13, Maintenance of Paved Road Sections The reference to DOT taking over the jurisdiction of all of Kōke‘e Road was deleted from the plan to eliminate any confusion regarding State Parks assumption of road ownership from DOT rather than vice versa. Page 3-33, Base Yards and Storage Facilities An addition was made to the last paragraph about the Waineke Storage Building. The original recommendation was to demolish the structure because of its dilapidated condition. However, the Kōke‘e Resource Conservation Program is interested in restoring this building for their use. To determine if restoration is warranted, an assessment of the building’s condition should be made. Pages 3-36, 3-44 and 3-45, DOE - Kōke‘e Discovery Center Information about the environmental center was modified to provide a better description of its use and future plans. Page 3-36 “Located on Kōke‘e Road, above the Meadow is the Kōke‘e Discovery Center. With funds from the 1991 Legislature and a federal grant, the environmental center was constructed in 1994 and is composed of a main house and a bunk house that is able to accommodate 40 persons. The Kōke‘e Discovery Center Association (KDCA) was formed for the purpose of providing support and assistance to the development of environmental education programs at the Center primarily for 4th and 5th grade students on Kaua‘i. Funds from the KDCA are used for operations and maintenance of the Center, and for the purchase of appliances, furniture, hiring resource persons to conduct the environmental programs, facility improvements, and to pay the costs of bus transportation for the school groups who come to participate in the programs. As part of their long range plan, they would like to construct a greenhouse, pump shed and water tank so that the students can engage in the propagation of plants native and/or endemic to Kōke‘e. Pages 3-44 and 3-45 include the following description of the Kōke‘e Discovery Center “The most recently developed group camp facility is the Kōke‘e Discovery Center, constructed in 1994. It is located off Kōke‘e Road above Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow. This facility was built for the purpose of teaching environmental education to island students. The program is administered by the Department of Education (DOE). The facility can accommodate up to 40 students and has sleeping quarters, a kitchen, and outdoor activity areas. The program supplements classroom activities with students learning firsthand about the native forest ecosystem of Northwest Kaua‘i and participating in character building activities, science experiments, excursions-hikes into the area, and occasionally becoming involved in volunteer projects in the parks. Operational and maintenance support is provided by the Kōke‘e Discovery Center Association (KDCA) and the DOE in maintaining and preserving the Center’s facilities to serve as a place for learning and exploration. The KDCA provides support in the form of fundraising and volunteers to help with staffing, supplies, equipment, and general maintenance and subsidizes bus transportation to the center for those who cannot otherwise afford it. A small nursery to cultivate native plantings is planned for the Center to supplement the outdoor education programs. During weekends and holidays, the public may make arrangements with the DOE to use the facilities.” Although the PIG had suggested that information about the Discovery Center be included somewhere in Chapter 7, there is no appropriate section where it can be placed. State Parks feels the description in Chapter 3 is most appropriate. Page 3-41, Lower Waimea Canyon Viewpoints Vehicle and pedestrian guardrails as measures that could be made for improving safety at existing pull- outs was removed. Page 4-53, Exceptional Architecture at Kōke‘e A photo of the Hagino house was added to this section. Page 4-66, Waimea Canyon Lookout, 2nd column, 2nd paragraph Recommended interpretive techniques include kiosks near the parking lot and signs along the railings. And signs along the railings was removed. Page 5-3, Values The first sentence was revised to read: In recognition of the unique environmental resources and rich natural heritage existing in the uplands of western Kaua‘i, Kōke‘e and Waimea Canyon State Parks were established. Page 5-4, Geological Values The first and second sentences were revised to read: Kōke‘e and Waimea Canyon State Parks contain excellent examples of all of the key geologic stages of the island’s formation, views of which are readily accessible from four key park lookouts. Page 5-14, Public Use/User Limits, 3rd paragraph The first sentence was revised to read: The restoration of the CCC Camp under the guidance of Hui o Laka, represents one of the few efforts to preserve and interpret the Parks’ historic resources.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 03:53:02 +0000
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