Kahu Danny Akaka conducts a traditional Hawaiian blessing during the ground breaking ceremony Friday, May 1 at Parker Ranch.
Story and Photos by Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.com Contributing Editor
Officials from Parker Ranch were joined by county dignitaries and invited guests Friday, May 1 to break ground on what has long been called the Parker Ranch Connector Road.
Kahu Danny Akaka conducted a traditional Hawaiian blessing.
Parker Ranch cowboys pause during Friday's ground breaking and blessing.
The road, traversing the Mauna Kea side of the Lualai subdivision, will eventually link Mamalahoa Highway – near the Parker Ranch entrance – with an extension of Pukalani Road. Parker Ranch is solely responsible for financing the $6 million road project.
Contractor Goodfellow Brothers estimates more than 25 jobs are being created as a result of the project.
“We are happy to have reached a point where we’re actually breaking ground on this project that marks the beginning of a new path that connects our community and fulfills the vision of Richard Smart,” said David McCoy, chairman of Parker Ranch, Inc. Board and a Parker Ranch Foundation Trust Trustee.
“It’s a major plus in the community. It probably won’t solve all of our congestion problems, but it will help,” McCoy said. “The benefits to the community are many fold.”
The Connector Road at Parker Ranch was part of a vision of sixth generation Parker descendent and last owner of Parker Ranch Richard Smart. Smart conceptualized what he called the Parker Ranch 2020 Plan.
The plan’s intent was to set aside sufficient lands to allow for uncongested growth and community development. Planning for growth would allow the Waimea community to maintain its rural “village” character yet provide for future business, employment and housing for residents.
The Parker Ranch Connector Road will be approximately 1 mile in length. The two-lane road from Mamalahoa Highway to Pukalani Road will accommodate vehicles at “rural” speeds of 25 mph. Recreational bicyclists, walkers and runners will enjoy a 10 foot wide multi use corridor along the town-bound side of the road.
It is estimated the road may be completed in 12 months, depending on how well the weather cooperates.
Trigger for Phase II (Pukalani Road to Kamamalu Street) portion is based on development of surrounding commercial areas behind Old Slaughter House and Minuke Ole Park and west of/and between Connector Road and Holoholo Ku development.
Road layout is currently under consideration by county.
Parker Ranch Inc. is known for quality beef, producing 10 million pounds of beef each year and ranking as the 5th largest cow-calf operation in the United States. Visitors can enjoy parts of ranch through tours of two historic homes, Cowboys of Hawaii at Parker Ranch, LLC horseback and ATV rides or the ranch’s exclusive Cattle Country Tour. A hunting program is also offered within controlled areas of the vast ranch.
Richard Palmer Parker Smart placed the ranch in a trust prior to his death in 1992 to benefit four Waimea-based organizations with a focus towards health care, education and charitable support; Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Parker School Trust Corporation, North Hawaii Community Hospital and the Richard Smart Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation.
Through 2008 nearly $15 million in cash and land has been distributed to these beneficiaries.
Roadway Features:
* Phase I – Pukalani Road to Kaomoloa Street; Phase III – Mamalahoa Hwy to Kaomoloa Street
* Approximately 1 mile long
* 80’ Right of Way
* 11’ travel lane in each direction and 11’ shoulders (5’ paved and 6’ grass)
* 8’ drainage swales (paved 2.5’ on either side of center of swale)
* 10’ paved sidewalk/bikeway, town side of road only
* Posted speed = 25 mph
* Street lighting at intersections only (Pukalani & Kaomoloa)
— Find out more:
Parker Ranch: www.ParkerRanch.com
Kahu Danny Akaka begins his blessing Friday at Parker Ranch.
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