As a significant port town developing from an ancient Hawaiian settlement, Waimea's businesses were diverse. Business associations of one form or another existed for many years and volunteerism an important part of life. This is still true today with West Kauai Business & Professional Association (WKBPA) as the latest embodiment of the banding of area civic leaders into a broader geographic focus, including other areas of West Kauai with Waimea at its heart.

One of the first projects of the association after forming in 1980 was the development of the Waimea Regional Plan, the blueprint for economic development for the town. This was followed by the establishment of one of the first Main Street programs in the state. Under the program, interested businesses using the Waimea Regional Plan began restoration of storefronts and repainting buildings. The establishment of the Captain Cook Celebration, later renamed the Waimea Town Celebration began in 1978 and continued to grow under the Main Street program and West Kauai Business & Professional Association. One of the most ambitious projects was the saving of the 1938 Waimea Theatre noting that it was an important anchor for the town. It took nearly eight years to see the project through with the assistance of the County of Kauai.

After the devastation Hurricane Iniki in 1992, Waimea Hoolaukahi was founded by Brian Baptiste under Mayor Maryann Kusaka's administration in 1995. It included Waimea business owners; youth group representatives; concerned residents; and County employees that lived in Waimea. Waimea Hoolokahi was founded to unify the community by allowing residents self-determination in their choice of community projects with facilitation by the County.

Hofgaard Park is an important visitor destination as a monument and statue to commemorate Captain Cook's first landfall are located there. The park is named after Judge Christopher B. Hofgaard (1859-1931) who served the Waimea District for over 50 years as postmaster, road supervisor, auditor, and district magistrate, as well as the proprietor of a retail store and livery. The park was dedicated in 1928 with the unveiling of the stone monument by Hofgaard during the 150th anniversary of Cook's landing. It was an international affair with three British Navy warships from New Zealand, Australia and Britain anchoring offshore.

The intention of the project was to enhance existing planting keeping with the historic theme throughout town and provide additional shade and seating areas. Plantings will include native kou trees in addition to the existing niu and loulu palms. These native plants require low maintenance and once established, little water. The project included repairs and adjustments to the irrigation sprinkler system in the park. Some of the taller, high maintenance coconut trees were removed by request of the County's Parks Department. The work requiring heavy equipment was completed Sunday, July 21, 1996 with the smaller plantings and detail work on Sunday, July 28 at 7:30 am.

The County of Kauai established a volunteer community based partnership between citizens, businesses, and government by establishing monthly meetings in each town under the name Hoolokahi which means working together. The creation of Menehune Park was the largest project undertaken by Waimea Hoolokahi because of the time commitment and number of days the project required to complete.

Landscaping sets off the historic buildings and provides shade and a sense of coolness in Waimea's hot climate. The park includes a unique 20-foot stonewall below the largest public building in town, the Waimea Community Hall. A shaded, park area with picnic benches for residents and visitors was envisioned to create a nice rest stop and set off the Community Hall, currently undergoing restoration. The pocket park was created from a neglected, highly visible area along the highway passing through town. This project responded to the neighborhood concern for maintaining open space and creating pedestrian park areas in the business district. At the time, the county was able to maintain parks, but didn't have the funding for installing park landscaping and furnishings.

                                       

In 1999, in collaboration with the State Parks, West Kauai Rotary Club and local businesses, the expansion of Waimea Pier Park was made with the clearing of property adjacent to the established park. Volunteers from West Kauai Rotary Club and West Kauai Business & Professional Association, State Parks assisted heavy equipment operators from Gay & Robinson, Inc to clear the mass of kiawe trees to double the size of the Park. Historically significant, the old Waimea landing first sported a pier with winches for shifting cargo from railcars to lighters out to the awaiting cargo ships anchored off-shore.

       One of the most significant sites in Waimea, due to its prominent location and size is the Russian Fort located across the river mouth from Waimea. Long a park in the State Department of Land & Natural Resources, it has been "beautified" and worked on over the years, then neglected due to funding woes and now is beginning another cycle of improvements led by the West Kauai Technology & Visitor Center's director Aletha G. Kaohi.

One of the most tedious and difficult projects was undertaken beginning about this time of unifying the visual appeal of Waimea Town with a strip of green along the sidewalk. In the very dry climate, irrigation is the key and although it would be nice to expect each business or home along the highway to green their own area, the reality was that few would make the commitment of time and ongoing maintenance. West Kauai Lions Club sought funding and began the process under the leadership of Brian Yamase, manager of the Waimea Branch of First Hawaiian Bank. Volunteers are always welcome to lend a hand and do their part to keep the sidewalks, streets and public green spaces clean.

Design and development of Menehune Park was coordinated between the County Parks, Planning & Building Departments, West Kauai Main Street, and Waimea Hoolokahi. The project required more start up maintenance since grassing and major plantings were made at the hottest time of year. The goal was to have the entire business district beautified by the 2nd Annual Christmas Parade and Town Celebration in December 1996.

This project was intended to increase pride in Waimea's business district and its Main Street and increasing pedestrian traffic. Funding for the irrigation system was provided by a Hoolaulima grant from Hawaii Community Foundation, the County of Kauai and West Kauai businesses.        

Heavy equipment was provided by Kikiaola Construction Company. The kou trees were provided by Lawai Nursery with the donations of loulu palms by Lawai Foliage Farm. Jon Henkel, electrician for Kikiaola Construction Co. installed the irrigation panel. Coordination of the project was provided by Calvin Shirai, then project director for West Kauai Business & Professional Association's West Kauai Main Street.

2009  Waimea Town CelebrationEvents Schedules for more...