Categorized | Environment

‘Blue water trail’ gets federal funding boost

MEDIA RELEASE

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has announced Hawaii will receive $396,413 from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Program to improve public outdoor recreation in the state. This reflects Hawaii’s portion of the $37.4 million available nationwide from this federal grant program in fiscal year 2011.

The State is proposing to use these grant funds to match some state capital improvement funds for park improvements at the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline on Oahu for repairs to the Makapuu Lighthouse trail roadway and lookouts, and for various facility improvements at Polihale State Park on Kauai. These projects will address a high priority recreation demand for the repair of aging and heavily used recreational facilities.

Also, a planning process will begin for a “blue water trail,” an ocean trail boaters, kayakers or paddlers can follow from Honokohau to Kawaihae, that will link up state and national parks along the Kona Coast.

“We are committed to improving and upgrading our public parks and recreational facilities,” said Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr. “These federal funds will supplement our own capital improvement funds and help us ensure the safety of our residents and visitors so they can enjoy our public spaces.”

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program is administered on the state level by DLNR. The federal grant funds are used to leverage state and county funds as an investment in America’s state and local public outdoor recreation. These funds are intended for the acquisition, development or improvement of outdoor recreational areas and facilities.

DLNR’s proposed projects are recommended to the Board of Land and Natural Resources and, if approved, referred to the National Park Service for final approval.

Projects are selected based on their ability to address high recreation demands and needs as identified in Hawaii’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan that is updated every 5 years.

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