Ala Ohia Road opens in Waimea
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 6:11PM 
From left, Robert Fitzgerald, director of Parks and Recreation, Warren Lee, director of Public Works, Wally Lau, deputy Managing Director, Billy Kenoi, Hawai`i County Mayor, and Brandi Beaudet, Parker Ranch, Inc., Land Manager.Hawai’i County Mayor Billy Kenoi joined Parker Ranch officials, Trust Beneficiaries and invited guests in Waimea on Tuesday to officially open the new Ala Ohia Road.
A Parker Ranch cattle truck led the procession of the first vehicles to try out the new roadway built on former pasture land. The group was accompanied by People’s Advocacy for Trails Hawaii (PATH) representatives who walked, ran and biked along the multi-purpose recreational corridor.
The approximately one-mile roadway, traversing the Mauna Kea side of the Luala’i subdivision, links Mamalahoa Highway with an extension of Pukalani Road, providing increased access on this rural roadway. Features of the two-lane roadway include a 10 foot-wide multi-purpose corridor for recreational bicyclists, walkers and runners along the town-bound side of the road.
Parker Ranch was solely responsible for funding the $7 million project. Parker Ranch, Inc. Co-Chairman, Pete Moynahan said, “Ala Ohia Road marks the beginning of a new path that connects our community and fulfills the vision of Richard Smart.”
A connector road at Parker Ranch was part of a vision of sixth-generation Parker descendant and last owner of Parker Ranch, Richard Smart. Smart conceptualized what he called the Parker Ranch 2020 plan. The intent was to set aside sufficient lands to allow for uncongested growth and community development. Planning for growth, he felt, would allow the Waimea community to maintain its rural “village” character yet provide for future business, employment and housing for residents.
“This construction project was more challenging than originally anticipated with the discovery of a layer of blue rock that delayed the setting of the dry wells” said Brandi Beaudet, Parker Ranch, Inc. Land Manager. “Although we had hoped for completion in mid-May, we are thankful the matter has been resolved and we are now able to provide this additional roadway to connect our community right in time for Thanksgiving and the holiday season,” stated Beaudet
Mayor Kenoi acknowledged the benefits the roadway will bring to the community and also expressed his appreciation for the employment opportunities that were provided during the construction of the road. “Construction of Ala Ohia Road got underway when unemployment was at a peak on Hawai’i Island, and this important project helped to get workers in our construction industry back on the job,” Mayor Kenoi said. “It improves the flow of traffic, and encourages our residents to remain healthy and active by biking and hiking,” said the Mayor.
Parker Ranch, Inc. produces 10 million pounds of beef each year and is the 5th largest cow-calf operation in the United States. Visitors may enjoy parts of the ranch through horseback riding tours offered by Cowboys of Hawaii, LLC. A hunting program is also offered within controlled areas of the vast ranch.
Sixth generation Richard Kaleioku Palmer Parker Smart placed the ranch in a trust prior to his death in 1992 to benefit four Waimea-based organizations with a focus on 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 2009, nearly $15 million in cash and land has been distributed to these beneficiaries.
For more information visit www.ParkerRanch.com.
