Opaekaa Bridge Repair Project

Rehabilitation of the Opaekaa Bridge

County of Kauai

Island of Kauai

General:

The Historic Period `Ōpaeka`a Bridge (State Site 50-30-08-9377) was the only historic property identified in the project area. Given the alluvial nature of the stream banks and adjacent flat environs, this area could have formerly been a good place to cultivate taro, as Handy and Handy (1972:423) had noted for the area. However, no evidence for cultivation was evident. The following summary material is based on historic records and summaries previously researched by Spencer Mason Architects (1989) and from the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (Hibbard 1982).

To recapitulate from the above sources, `Ōpaeka`a Bridge is a single-lane, wrought-iron, Warren pony truss bridge terminating in vertical end posts (Figures 1 and 2). The bridges measures c. 73 feet long (74 feet according to Spencer Mason Architects, 1989) and the soffit is 12 feet above the stream bed. The trusses have seven panels spaced 13 feet, 4 inches apart, with each truss measuring 10 feet long by 9 feet, 8 inches high. According to Hibbard (1982), a reinforced concrete deck (5 inches thick) rests on top of the trusses bottom chord and I-beams. The entire structure rests upon two lava rock masonry abutments and one lava rock masonry pier. The trusses themselves are the focal point of the bridge.

The trusses were formed from simple rolled plates, angles, and channels, and riveted together in an iron works. On the makai side of the bridge, a wrought-iron plate is visible on a truss (Figure 8):

Alex, Findlay & Co.

Bridge Builders

Motherwell

near

Glasgow 1890

As noted above, portions of `Ōpaeka`a Bridge represent recycled sections of the former Wailua River Bridge, which was replaced in 1919. The first use of the bridge was over the Wailua River in 1896. `Ōpaeka`a sections of the Wailua Bridge include the end posts, deck, I-beams, and lateral braces, and has been in its current location since 1919. The Wailua Bridge was manufactured in Scotland, in 1890, and represents the only British-made iron bridge in the United States, and one of several iron bridges in Hawaii. According to Hibbard (1982), the bridge exemplifies British bridge manufacture of the late 19^th century, with its factory riveted trusses, use of drilled rivet holes, lack of lateral bracing, short height, and use of bottom chords to support the road deck. Jackson and Riznik (1978:162-174) provide a fascinating history of the bridge manufacturers, the bridge construction itself, and significance of `Ōpaeka`a Bridge.

The design of `Ōpaeka`a Bridge was perhaps completed under the direction of J.H. Moragne, County of Kau`i Engineer in 1919. However, during the time the bridge was actually built, R.F. Middleton, a County road supervisor who oversaw transportation of the bridge parts from Wailua, should more likely get credit. Middleton also oversaw construction of the abutments and the rest of the building process.

Since its placement over `Ōpaeka`a Stream in 1919, `Ōpaeka`a Bridge has gone through several changes. According to Spencer Mason Architects (1989:247), the original wrought iron material of the trusses has had additional plates welded to it, and the County of Kaua`i Department of Public Works has noted that in the 1960s, the bridge decking was completely redone, and a new pier was added in the center to provide further support to the bridge. The bridge was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 (Hibbard 1982) as Site 82000253.

Figure 1: Photograph of `Ōpaeka`a Bridge (State Site 50-30-08-9377) with Traffic. View to Southeast.

Figure 2: Photograph of `Ōpaeka`a Bridge (State Site 50-30-08-9377), Western Flank. View to East.

Figure 3: Photograph of `Ōpaeka`a Bridge Manufacturer's Mark. View to West.

`Ōpaeka`a Bridge has been considered significant due to its presence as the only known British-built truss bridge in the United States, as well as its historical association with Wailua Homesteads development in the early 1900s. According to Spencer Mason Architects (1989), `Ōpaeka`a Bridge is one of the few metal truss bridges remaining in Hawaii (as of 1982), the others being the Karsten Thot Bridge in Wahiawa, Oahu (1934) and the Hanalei Bridge, Kaua`i (1912). The bridge is also a good example of an early 20^th century structure that utilizes materials from another, earlier dated bridge (Wailua River Bridge). The Spencer Mason Architects (1989) report states that `Ōpaeka`a is one of the most highly rated bridges on Kaua`i for its unique historical and unusual engineering characteristics. The ratings for this bridge were high at that time, Category I. The association with the Wailua Homesteads development is also quite important, however, on a local level.

`Ōpaeka`a Bridge, Pu`u `Ōpae Bridge, and surrounding roads, provided an integral transportation link that led to the success of the homestead lands. Initially, homesteading was not thought as a highly viable venture by many in the government, most of the homestead lands being controlled (from c. 1913) by large businesses and the government. There was opposition to homesteads as some thought this simply a ploy for a land grab, which would remove the lands from the profitable sugarcane industry which the lands were farmed. By 1917, the Kapaa homesteaders had soundly defeated that argument. Griffin (2005:3) notes that on the Olohena-Waipouli tract, there were ninety homesteaders with 3,140 acres who had harvested some 31,500 tons of sugarcane worth an estimated $197,000, a very considerable sum.

The inaugural Kapaa Homesteads 2^nd series, which was followed by the Wailua Homesteads series, consisted of 81 lots encompassing 17 acres to 41 acres. The lots were sold by lottery on June 28, 1913, with landowners being able to own up to 80 acres of land (original parcel and three adjoining parcels). Homesteaders were required to live and actively cultivate their lands for the first 10 years, with selling and leasing of the lands being forbidden. While homesteaders had finally received land, they had little means to access it. The “roads” were more or less cattle trails accessible mostly by ox carts. To make matters worse, water was unavailable in the homesteads. Available stream water was owned by the Makee Sugar Company, the Governor of Hawai`i, Walter F. Frear, having sold the water rights before the homesteads were opened. Homesteaders would have to pay a monthly rate to use any of the water. Initial homesteading in the area was difficult due to lack of roads and water. However, the homesteaders petitioned the County and government in Honolulu to fix these deficiencies. By 1918, the homesteaders had formed an association and petitioned for the betterment of the homesteads in Honolulu and at various venues on Kaua`i.

Griffin (2005:4) notes that Pu`u `Ōpae Bridge, and other bridges and roads in the area increased in importance after nearby Wailua Homesteads opened because the Wailua roads did not transverse the land in a typical mauka-makai fashion, but rather they were connected to the Kapaa Homestead roads which ran parallel to the slopes, along the base of Nounou Mountain. It was only Olohena Road which allowed homesteaders to meet up with the Belt Road. The Wailua Homesteads themselves were not linked to the Belt Road until 1936 and Kuamoo Road was extended to the coastline.

By 1919, some of the Wailua and Kapaa Homesteaders were successfully cultivating sugarcane, with many people from surrounding areas filling labor positions on the lands. However, by 1945 homestead cultivation of sugarcane became a difficult venture as sugar prices dropped significantly and small-scale enterprises were difficult to sustain. Griffin (2005:4) states that by the mid-twentieth century mark, many of the homesteaders abandoned the farming lifestyle and took up other occupations. Through time, many of these homestead areas were rezoned for residential use. However, some of the lands adjacent to the bridges, such as `Ōpaeka`a and Pu`u `Ōpae Bridge, contain some of the only remaining areas of agricultural lands in the region (Griffin 2005:4).

In all, `Ōpaeka`a Bridge performed an elevated transportation and communication function for homesteaders from 1919. While the bridge represents a strong relationship with early to mid-twentieth century land use in the Wailua Homesteads area, it is also significant for being an iron bridge, as well as being the only British truss bridge in the United States.

Photos:

Bridge Deck

Bridge Truss Close up

Contact Information:

For more information about this project, please contact Mike Hunnemann at 808-791-5980. Mr. Hunnemann is the Vice President of KAI Hawaii, Inc. a consulting firm in Honolulu.

Opaekaa Bridge Repair Project

Monday, March 26, 2012

Monday, January 30, 2012