Park restoration project
first in 40 years

The state government is working to restore neglected park facilities statewide.

The Legislature approved the sale of $15 million in state bonds last year to fix state park bathrooms and to remove and replace park cesspools statewide.

This will be the first major bathroom reconstruction since the state parks system was established more than 40 years ago. And about 36 percent of the parks have waste-water systems that do not meet Environmental Protection Agency standards.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority has committed an additional $1.7 million of transient accommodations tax collections for other park improvements.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources is also spending $2.5 million in construction projects to bring state parks up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Projects under way:

>> On Oahu, installation of emergency telephones between Makua and Kaena Point.

>> On Maui, the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve Master Plan.

>> On Hawaii, construction of new bathrooms at Manini owali section, new access road to Kua Bay and parking areas at Kekaha Kai State Park.

>> And on Kauai, improvements to the viewing platform at Wailua River State Park Fern Grotto.

Future projects:

>> On Oahu, reconstruction of comfort stations and sewer system improvements at Sand Island State Recreation Area; bathroom renovations at Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area and Kaena Point State Park; construction of a new, larger bathroom at Diamond Head State Monument; new access road and parking lot along Kalanianaole Highway overlooking Makapuu Beach; and reconstruction of historic Kam Mon store at Ahupuaa O Kahana State Park.

>> On Maui, bathroom renovation and road resurfacing at Waianapanapa State Park; construction of a new comfort station at Kaumahina State Wayside; and bathroom improvements at Puaa Kaa State Wayside.

>> On Molokai, waste-water improvements at the lookout, camping and picnic areas of Palaau State Park.

>> On the Big Island, bathroom renovations at Akaka Falls State Park, Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, Wailuku River State Park-Boiling Pots and Wailoa River State Recreation Area; installation of a new portable water tank and waterline at Mauna Kea State Recreation Area; expanding camping facilities at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area, and parking lot, cottage, walkway and overall site improvements; and renovations to the pavilions at Wailoa State Park and Old Kona Airport.

>> On Kauai, bathroom renovations at Kokee State Park and Wailua River State Park; clearing the brush around Malae Heiau; installation of accessible routes to the boat docks at the Wailua River Marina and renovation of the pavilion comfort station; hiring an on-site park ranger and installing cultural signage and porta-potties at Haena State Park; repaving the Kokee State Park access road and parking lot at Puu Kila lookout; and resurfacing and widening the road to the ranger station and museum and resurfacing the main parking lot at Kalalau lookout.

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