East Kaua‘i trail nominated for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame

A Kaua‘i trail was nominated by a national nonprofit for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame on Wednesday.

Ke Ala Hele Makālae, “The Path that Goes by the Coast,” spans 8 miles, providing a paved, scenic route ideal for walking, jogging, biking, and skating, stretching from Lydgate Beach Park to Kuna Bay.

This recognition from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy highlights the trail’s contribution to community health, connectivity, and environmental preservation. The voting period runs from July 26 to Aug. 4. Voting is unlimited; supporters are encouraged to vote as often as possible before the deadline.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame recognizes rail-trails around the nation for their contributions to their communities and regions. Trails inducted into the Hall of Fame are celebrated for their scenic value, public benefit and historical significance.

“Building on a shared vision dating back to the 1990s, Ke Ala Hele Makālae is a work-in-progress envisioned to link communities along Kaua‘i’s east side from Niumalu to Anahola,” said Tommy Noyes, Kauai Path’s executive director. “The accomplishments achieved to date building this ambitious path system have inspired comparable active-transportation infrastructure improvements to serve other sectors around Kaua‘i.”

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami expressed gratitude for the nomination.

“We are so proud of our team with the Department of Parks and Recreation and our partners with Kaua‘i Path and our Eastside community for continuing to maintain and promote this wonderful path for our residents and visitors,” the mayor stated.

Updates will be provided when the voting period begins.

For more information about Ke Ala Hele Makālae and its nomination, visit https://www.railstotrails.org/hall-of-fame/.

Trails inducted into the Hall of Fame receive a variety of honors, including special signage to place along their trails, a Trail of the Month feature and a highlight in Rails to Trails magazine. Click here to view a list of Hall of Fame trails.

Since 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has worked to bring the power of trails to more communities across the country, creating trail networks that connect people and places.

To date, nearly $24 billion in federal funding—including over $1.4 billion in the 2023 fiscal year has supported more than 40,500 projects via Transportation Alternatives and the Recreational Trails Program.

In the 2023 fiscal year, the nonprofit advocated alongside partners in 15 states to help secure more than $533 million in funding for trails, walking and bicycling.