A new comfort station is set to be constructed at Hā‘ena State Park, marking the first instance where a nonprofit community group has spearheaded both the design and funding of a capital improvement project in a state park. The Hui, in collaboration with its nonprofit partner The Hanalei Initiative, has allocated operating revenues from their parking and shuttle system to fund this project since the park's reopening post-COVID lockdown in 2020.
The chosen site for the comfort station will not affect any cultural sites within the park. It aims to lessen reliance on the existing bathroom facilities located by Kē‘ē Beach and the Kalalau Trailhead, which are part of an environmentally sensitive area. Billy Kinney, assistant director of the Hui and a lineal descendant of Hā‘ena and Hanalei, conducted a Ka Pa‘akai Analysis to assess potential cultural impacts. He stated, “While the DLNR State Historic Preservation Division (SHPD) concurred with a ‘no historic properties affected’ determination, our hui remains dedicated to the protection of wahi kūpuna (ancestral sites) in Hāʻena."
The project represents a significant shift towards greater community involvement in state park management. DSP Assistant Administrator Alan Carpenter praised The Hui's stewardship: “The Hui has proven that they are responsible and committed stewards of everything we value in Hā‘ena State Park.”
Pua Chin, executive director of the Hui and also a lineal descendant, emphasized the long-term vision established nearly 30 years ago by The Hui’s ʻOhana Council: “That vision...outlines the creation of this regenerative tourism model to curb human impacts and generate revenue that will directly contribute to the stewardship of the park.”
Joel Guy, president of The Hanalei Initiative, highlighted community-government collaboration as key to managing resources effectively: “This project represents the power of a community-led, government-supported approach.” Despite reduced parking during construction, visitors are encouraged to use expanded shuttle services for easier access.
The new comfort station is expected to alleviate previous issues related to insufficient restroom facilities near popular areas like Kē‘ē Beach. Guy noted that using shuttles could ease parking constraints during construction: “We hope both our visitors and residents will plan ahead and consider using the shuttle instead.”