Keilia Pond Boardwalk Fiasco
During our last few visits to Maui we’ve noticed a boardwalk built along the edge of the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. Each time we’ve tried to use it however we found a sign that said “Boardwalk Closed.” This trip the sign reads “Boardwalk closed until parking lot completed.” We decided to find out what’s going on. Here’s what we found:
A press release from the National Wildlife Refuge System announcing that construction would begin on August 9, 2004. The release mentioned that “planning for the boardwalk has been underway for about 8 years now.”
This article from The Maui News dated September 19, 2006 which reads in part.
Work resumes today on a 2,200-foot Kealia Pond boardwalk, a more than $2 million project delayed because recycled plastic began cracking soon after it was installed as decking and handrails in 2003.
“Don’t give up hope. The boardwalk will be finished in the not-too-distant future,” said Glynnis Nakai, Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge manager, in a news release Monday. “We know it’s been a lengthy process, but we want to ensure the boardwalk offers a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors.”
And another story in The Maui News of April 30, 2007 which includes the following:
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge manager Glynnis Nakai confirmed that work on the 2,200-foot boardwalk is complete, although she doesn’t know when it will be opened to the public.
For safety reasons, the boardwalk will not be opened until the adjacent parking lot is finished, she said.
“First and foremost, we want to make sure there is safe entry and exit to the parking area.”
A lack of funding has delayed work on the parking lot, she said.
“We’ve got a proposal in for funding, but the federal budget is not approved yet,” Nakai explained.
Here’s a summery of the situation as I understand it. The original project was budgeted for about $1 million dollars, but cost $2 million. After 8 years of planning the materials selected were not suitable for the job and had to be replaced. Now there’s no money for the parking lot.
It reminds me of a sign that hangs in my office. It reads:
Six Phases of a Project
- Enthusiasm
- Disillusionment
- Panic
- Search for the Guilty
- Punishment of the Innocent
- Praise and Honors for the Non-Participants
You’ll find the Kealia Pond on highway 31 between Ma’alaea and Kihei. We’ve noticed that even though the boardwalk is closed there seems to be lots of people using it.
You’ll find it on our Maui Travel Map along with lots of other places of interest.
