Keiki to kupuna gathered at Waimea Nature Park Saturday to celebrate National Trails Day and stroll the the Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea, known as The Streamside Trail of Waimea.
A live band, food trucks, plant sales and informational booths filled the family friendly event and local artists were painting along the trail. Afterwards, the artists were judged and the winner, Jane W. Taylor’s Painting “ Sheltering Tree at Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea will be featured on next year’s shirt.
National Trails Day takes place on the first Saturday in June and recognizes all the incredible benefits federal, state and local trails provide for recreation and exposure nature. Events held throughout the United States help promote awareness of the wide variety of services the trails systems offer. The day encourages people to discover their local trials, become active concerning trail issues, and share their excitement for the outdoors.
It encourages people to get outdoors, connect with nature, and explore the diverse trail systems available. The Ke Ala Kahawai O Waimea offers a unique opportunity for residents to enjoy the beauty of Waimea and experience the wonders of nature firsthand.
The volunteer trail-building effort dates back to 1994. By 2008, volunteers had put in enough work to open the trail, which follows the meandering Waikoloa Stream, between the nature park and Opelo Road. In 2011, the trail was extended to its current terminus at Kahawai Street.
“With the help and volunteers of Waimea Trails and Greenways Committee, most of the alignment for Phase 1 was cleared and grubbed once trail easements were in place and they continue to help maintain. This partnership in maintenance has allowed us to save time in design work and is projected to save time on construction activities,” Hawaii County said in its most recent project update.
The trail, which is being developed by Hawaii County in three phases and as funding is available, will range in width from 10 feet to 12 feet and meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. Phase two will take the trail from its current terminus at Kahawai Street to the Waimea Transfer Station and phase three will bring it to Kamuela View Estates.
The Waimea Outdoor Circle has a work day every other Saturday at the Nature Park, which is along the trail, if volunteers are intersted in taking part in the effort.
