DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

News Release

LINDA LINGLE

GOVERNOR

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON

Phone: (808) 587-0401

Fax: (808) 587-0390

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For Immediate Release: April 21, 2006

DLNR Making Renovations At State
Forest Reserves, Kaua'i

LIHUE — Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in the beginning of May will begin working on improvements to the Koke‘e hunter check-in station and forestry picnic areas including, Lapa, Alaka‘i Vista and Sugi Grove.

The forest reserve will remain open for day use, but due to the extensive construction, camping facilities at Kawaikoi and Sugi Grove will need to be closed, starting in early May and lasting until mid-August 2006.

In addition to the hunter check-in station and picnic area projects, DLNR is carrying out additional improvement projects this summer at: Keahua Arboretum, located within the Lihu‘e-Koloa state forest reserves; and at the DLNR Forestry and Wildlife base yard in Lihu‘e, Kaua‘i.

"These improvements are part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration's multi-year, multi-million dollar capital improvement program to upgrade our state park and recreational areas. It represents the first major reconstruction of facilities in the past 40-years,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson. “They are designed to ensure the safety and comfort of all residents and visitors who use them."

“We will provide portable toilets and an alternative access to the trails,” Young said.

In the beginning of May 2006, BCP Construction of Hawai‘i, Incorporated will begin renovation work at the Koke‘e Hunter check-in station and at the Kawaikoi, Lapa, Alaka‘i Vista, and Sugi Grove picnic area, at a cost of $147,448. Completion is expected by mid-August 2006.

Site Engineering, Incorporated this month is making trail repairs, renovating the existing composting toilets, and installing an accessible parking stall at the Keahua Arboretum at a cost of $109,100. Completion is expected by the end of July 2006
The arboretum is located down the road from the Wailua Reservoir. This peaceful site is home to monkeypod, mango, and fragrant eucalyptus trees. Picnic tables and pavilions are scattered throughout the areas. Several streams and freshwater pools that feed into the Wailua River flow nearby and provide a cool relaxing area to swim and frolic.
Numerous trails start or pass by here, such as the Kuilau Ridge Trail and Powerline Trail, as well as the trail through the arboretum. The towering Mount Wai‘ale‘ale can be seen from here.

At the same time, Pacific Blue Construction is renovating DLNR's Forestry and Wildlife baseyard facilities, which consists of repairing the picnic shelter, building new concrete walkways, railing work, parking stall striping and signage, and restroom renovations at a cost of $115, 647. Completion is expected by mid-August 2006.

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For more information, contact:
Clifford Inn
DLNR Education and Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (808) 587-0407