Hawaiians Rebuild Park Without Waiting for Government Aid

The park, which had been closed since flooding in December, was a major tourist destination and a large source of income for Kauai.

“Tourism is our lifeblood,” Ivan Slack, who co-owns a kayak tour company on the island, told a CNN reporter.

Slack said that without the park, his business, Napali Kayak, would no longer be able to survive. So Napali Kayak volunteered resources to help address the problem.

Among others who donated time and resources was Troy Martin of Martin Steel.

“We shouldn't have to do this,” he told CNN, “but when it gets to a state level, it just get so bureaucratic, something that took us eight days would have taken them years.”

Before the park can open, approval must be granted for a new bridge built by the volunteers.

Full story and photos at http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/09/hawaii.volunteers.repair/index.html