Take a Seat!

July 15, 2014

If you have been to Makauwahi Cave Reserve in recent weeks, you probably discovered that nice benches have sprouted up in two strategic locations – just outside the cave entrance and up at #8 on the nature trail. These very substantial benches, made with a strong combination of cast concrete legs and recycled plastic boards, were funded by the Hawai`i Tourism Authority as part of their last grant to us that also helps fund the salaries for our maintenance staff. HTA provides funds to help support fledgling tourist attractions like us to better serve the public (over 21,000 visitors last year – see the last newsletter for details).

This bench design, known in the park management trade as “Bronx benches” because they were invented to provide visitor amenities in the Bronx, NY parks where vandalism is the norm, are considered to be the toughest seats known to man. But they are made locally, by an outfit on the Big Island called “Concrete Creations.” We shipped them in via barge, and carried them to their present locations via six strong backs. They are glued, with the strongest epoxy available, to concrete pillars set in the ground, to discourage anybody who might want to throw them into the sinkhole or otherwise move them.

So…enjoy! The one at the cave entrance serves well for those who are waiting for a tour. The one at #8 signpost is sited at one of the most spectacular views afforded by the Reserve, looking out over the entire Maha`ulepu Valley including the native plant restorations, the 15 lo’i pondfields, and majestic Mt. Ha`upu beyond.