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Chapter 4: Waimea Town Plan <br /> concerns regarding these projects — concerns that are not always reflected in the official project <br /> plans and reports. <br /> Strategy 5.1 Plan, design, and construct walkways and bikeways within the existing rights of way <br /> of the main Waimea Roads: Kawaihae Road and Mamalahoa Highway -- Except for sidewalks for a <br /> few blocks within the center of Waimea Town, there are no walkways or bikeways along the major <br /> roads that could be used by pedestrians and bicyclists, including children walking to and from <br /> school. Constructing safe bikeways and walkways along Mamalahoa Highway and Kawaihae Road <br /> would provide people with alternatives to travel by car, and would thus potentially alleviate to some <br /> degree the peak hour traffic jams that now characterize Waimea. <br /> There is a need for both "higher speed" bike lanes for the "expert" recreational or commuter <br /> bicyclist, as well as walkway/bikeway shared paths that are separated from the roadway, and that <br /> are safe for children and elders. The Waimea Town Plan section of the South Kohala CDP provides <br /> a detailed Action Program for the planning, design, and construction of these walkways and <br /> bikeways. <br /> Strategy 5.2 Support the implementation of the Waimea Trails and Greenways Project— Plans for <br /> the Waimea Trails and Greenways project have been developed over a period of some 13 years. <br /> The first phase of the project, about 1/2miles in length, from Lindsey Road to the beginning of the <br /> Sandalwood subdivision, has recently been completed. This multi-purpose path is planned to <br /> eventually extend to the vicinity of "Church Row." This stream-side trail will be an important <br /> complement to the planned walkway/bikeway system that the CDP proposes along the main <br /> roadways. It is recommended that the Waimea Trails and Greenways Project also be considered for <br /> equestrian use. The County should continue to support this important community project through <br /> funding and technical assistance. <br /> Strategy 5.3 Plan, design, and construct a system of equestrian trails for Waimea—There has been <br /> considerable discussion in recent years about the need and desirability of equestrian trails in the <br /> Waimea area. Of course, a generation or two ago, horses and riders were a natural part of the <br /> Waimea scene, and as recently as the 1980's, it was not uncommon to see people riding their <br /> horses along the main roads. Now, however, traffic volumes effectively preclude horses and riders <br /> in town. Community leaders need to work with Parker Ranch and other land owners to develop a <br /> system of equestrian trails that will be compatible with existing and future residential, commercial, <br /> and institutional land uses. <br /> The "Waimea Conceptual Plan" graphic shows two schematic alignments for possible equestrian <br /> trails: one from the vicinity of the Parker Ranch Headquarters to the vicinity of the Pu'ukapu <br /> houselots, and another trail along the State DOT easement that parallels Mamalahoa Highway, from <br /> the vicinity of the Waimea Airport southward for a distance of about 7 miles. The establishment of <br /> safe equestrian trails in and around Waimea Town is an important program that can connect <br /> Waimea present and future to its special paniolo past. <br /> Strategy 5.4 Plan, design, and construct a system of multi-purpose paths and trails for Waimea— <br /> There are many other opportunities for the establishment of paths and trails in the Waimea area. <br /> The CDP Action Committee should organize a sub-committee to help gather community input to <br /> decide on priority trail routes. After community input has been gathered, the sub-committee should <br /> help with the implementation of priority trail projects. Several suggested multi-purpose paths and <br /> trails for Waimea include but are not limited to the following ideas below. <br /> Parker Ranch Equestrian Plan - The Parker Ranch 2020 Equestrian Plan calls for a non-profit to take <br /> over the operation and maintenance of this trail. According to the zoning ordinance, the trail is to <br /> be completed before the occupation of any residential or commercial development in the Waimea <br /> Town Center. <br /> South Kohala CDP November, 2008 <br /> FINAL Page 73 <br />