Hurricane Lowell ruined a part of Hanapepe. One family is working to fix it

HANAPEPE (HawaiiNewsNow) – Behind Kauai’s Hanapepe Stadium, was Puolo Road. It was a scenic oceanfront stretch that no longer exists after it was ripped up by storm surge the night of Hurricane Lowell.

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Massive asphalt slabs that once made up the road are scattered around the area. They’re heavy and not easily moved, which goes to show the true force the storm had.

At the end of the road, a Japanese Cemetery sits partially washed away. A few of the plots closest to the water, swallowed by the erosion.

So disheartened by the damage, Keisha Kilar and her family took it upon themselves to cleanup the area.

“My family, this is where we grew up. We just wanted to come down here in hopes, to restore what was, and in hopes that future generations get to experience the childhood that we had,” Kilar said.

Using their own equipment, time, and resources, they’re slowly chipping away at the mess, in part, feeling a special responsibility there, because the park was named in honor of Keisha’s Grandpa, Benjamin Kali Sr.

“This tree right here, been in our family for generations, and this is actually the marker for our piko for the ahupua’a that we’ve been stewards of,” she said.

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While the tree no longer stands, they’re sharing it’s life with Kauai families.

“A lot of people, they’re in search of Keawe wood. So they’ll drive down the road, see us cutting up some wood, and they’ll say, ‘Hey, can we get some?’ Like, bring your trucks. Let’s go,” Kilar said.

People have offered money as a thanks, but they don’t take it, saying they’re just doing their part to honor the legacy of this place.

“It’s actually been an eye opener you know on how much the community actually cares,” Kilar said.

They’re set up at the entrance to Puolo Road, and welcome donations of tools, snacks for their keiki, and helping hands.

“When it comes down to it, if we get another disaster, we gotta make sure this doesn’t happen,” she said.

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