HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-07-23 NR KPD Public input sought on EA for proposed Kawaihau substationDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: July 23, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
KAUA‘I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
(808) 241-1600
Public input sought on DEA for proposed Kawaihau substation
KAPA‘A – The Kauaʿi Police Department is in the early planning stages to build a new Kawaihau
police substation and is seeking the public’s input pertaining to a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA)
which can be accessed at http://oeqc2.doh.hawaii.gov/Doc_Library/2021-07-23-KA-DEA-Kauai-Police-
Department-Kapaa-Substation.pdf.
The published DEA is provided as an opportunity to notify the public of the proposed project,
offer interested parties the ability to review the proposed plans, and provide public comments regarding
the proposal.
The proposed project consists of an approximately 7,000-square-foot police substation that is
intended to serve the Kapaʿa community.
KPD has made a proposal to Hawaiʿi Healthcare Systems Corporation to build the substation on
an unused portion of land at the Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital campus, immediately east of the
Kawaihau Road and Iwaena Road juncture.
Currently, the Kapaʿa Armory building serves as KPD’s temporary eastside substation.
“Police services in the area are not functioning at an optimal level right now due to the limited
temporary location which only facilitates a place for officers to complete paperwork,” said Chief of
Police Todd G. Raybuck. “The lack of basic operational functions like a training area and locker rooms
requires our officers to travel to the Līhuʿe headquarters, which adversely impacts services that could
otherwise be provided to the community.”
The proposed single-story building would provide neighborhood public access to police services
and include general administrative spaces and offices, a temporary holding area, interview rooms, a
break room, a squad room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, a multipurpose training room,
bathrooms, and other support spaces.
The estimated cost for the project is $8 million.
In August, KPD will also be hosting community events so that the public will have an opportunity
to see the preliminary building and site plan, provide feedback and ask questions in person. The meeting
dates will be announced as soon as they are established.
“The building plans are not yet solidified so we hope that this process will help us better
determine what will be best for not only our police officers, but also the public and nearby
neighborhood. This draft EA is a necessary preliminary step, and it is not an indication that this a
finalized shovel-ready project,” said Chief Raybuck. “I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet
with interested parties and community members to discuss the Draft EA. The feedback received from
the public will allow us to consider community input as the planning progresses to ensure the project
is suitable for the neighborhood.”
Comments are to be submitted by August 23. Please submit comments or requests to Doug
Haigh, Building Division Chief at the County of Kauaʿi’s Department of Public Works. He can be reached
at dhaigh@kauai.gov or by mail at 4444 Rice Street, Suite 175, Līhuʿe, Hawaiʿi, 96766-13450.
The Office of Environmental Quality Control publishes Draft Environmental Assessments (DEAs)
and environmental impact statements (EISs) for public review and comment in its semi-monthly
publication, The Environmental Notice. A list of all Environmental Notices is available at
http://oeqc2.doh.hawaii.gov/_layouts/15/start.aspx#/The_Environmental_Notice/Forms/AllItems.aspx.
Artistic renderings of proposed Kawaihau police substation.
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