The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation is proposing accessibility and other improvements for Milolii Beach Park in South Kona.
The project, estimated to cost about $1.75 million, would improve the park’s main pavilion and amenities to comply with current American with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. A draft environmental assessment that anticipates a finding of no significant impact for the project was published in July. Comments are due by Sept. 8.
Work entails replacing the existing 80-by-40-foot pavilion, which is unpermitted, and comfort station to meet current ADA standards as well as making the parking lot, walkways and other park facilities ADA accessible. The park’s non-potable water storage and booster pump station for the bathroom facility will also be replaced.
In addition, a new playground is planned, as well as reconstruction and resurfacing of the basketball and volleyball courts. The county also plans a boat turnaround area and barriers to prevent vehicles from accessing the shoreline and pavilion.
“The Department of Parks and Recreation intends to retain the park amenities and features that currently exist while minimizing the amount of changes to the park as much as possible,” the draft EA reads.
The county says the work is necessary because the existing Milolii Beach Park parking lot, walkways, and basketball/volleyball courts are in a current state of disrepair, with cracks and eroded areas.
“These conditions have impacted park access and safety. Both the restroom and halau/pavilion structures must be replaced in their entirety due to their age and extensive need for repair and modifications. Further, the existing pavilion is currently unpermitted, and would be brought up to county standards with implementation of the proposed improvements,” the draft EA reads.
The county said it plans to provide ongoing beach parking and access during construction of the proposed improvements. Temporary parking during construction would likely be on site or along Milolii Road.
The project would be constructed based on funding availability in one phase over approximately six to eight months. Non federal funding is being sought for the $1.75 million project.
Construction would take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Construction activities exceeding maximum allowable noise levels would not occur on Sundays or holidays without prior notice.
Comments are due by Sept. 8 to the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation and consultant Bow Engineering Development Inc.
The draft EA, which includes more details on whom to submit comment, is available via the Office of Environmental Quality Control or by following this link https://bit.ly/31Bs43Y.
