MEDIA RELEASE

Alii Drive Hawaii Scenic Byway meeting dates announced, the public is invited to attend

Kailua Village Business Improvement District has scheduled dates for the remainder of 2010 for meetings of the Local Byway Committee regarding the nomination of Alii Drive as a Hawaii Scenic Byway. All meetings are open to the public and unless otherwise advised, will be held at the King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel at 4:00 p.m.

Dates are Fridays on August 13, September 24, October 1, October 22, November 5, December 3 and December 10. In addition to these committee meeting dates there will be a Public Workshop scheduled for Friday, October 15 at 4 p.m. to provide a general update and receive feedback from citizens. All meeting dates are subject to change.

The application of nomination for Alii Drive, titled Royal Footsteps Along the Kona Coast, to the Hawaii Scenic Byways program was recently approved by the Hawaii Department of Transportation. This is the first step in a lengthy nomination process to achieve full designation.

Designation is particularly meaningful since roads that become Scenic Byways are limited to those that tell a story, have outstanding qualities that need recognition or protection, and roads that will benefit from a coordinated strategy for tourism and economic development. The Hawaii Scenic Byways Program complements the National Scenic Byways Program and provides a framework to help identify special roadways and develop plans and programs to manage and promote roads and their surroundings.

From Historic Kailua Village to Keauhou, drivers, bikers, and pedestrians can take in archaeological, historic, cultural, recreational and scenic qualities along Alii Drive found no where else.

Kokua Kailua Village Stroll is sponsored by the Kailua Village Business Improvement District, the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce, Destination Kona Coast, Kailua Village Merchants Association, Hulihee Palace and Pacific Radio Group. The program is designed to rally support for merchants and restaurants and to remind residents to shop, dine and buy local.