Location
Ka‘ena, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i
Client
State of Hawai‘i, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)
The Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve is located on the westernmost point of O‘ahu. The reserve protects sand dune and boulder slope ecosystems that harbor many native Hawaiian plant species and provides refuge for seabirds, included the wedge-tail shearwater, red-footed boobie, and the Laysan albatross. It is also a potential nesting site for the endangered green sea turtle and the Hawaiian monk seal.
Over many years, the access road, dunes, and shoreline leading to the reserve have been severely damaged by off-road vehicles and erosion. The intention of the planning effort was to provide guidelines for roadway design, erosion control measures, vehicular access control, and re-vegetation of damaged areas.
Some of the elements of the plan included details for roadway construction and maintenance, the locations of vehicular circulation routes, and detailed solutions to control access and to protect dunes and vegetation. An important component of the plan was to preserve and protect the natural quality of the area, while still providing appropriate vehicular and pedestrian access by fisherman, hikers, and cultural gatherers.