Address
Kūhiō Highway, Hawai‘i Route 560, between Princeville and Hā‘ena, Kaua‘i
TMK
(4) Various
SHPD Historic Site Number
N/A
Historic District
National Register of Historic Places
#03001048
Abstract
The Kaua‘i Belt Road between Princeville and Hā‘ena traverses 10 miles along the island’s north shore. This portion of the Kaua‘i “Belt Road” was part of original road system, which extended from Hā‘ena on the north shore to Mana on the west shore. The road is significant in the areas of engineering, transportation, social history and commerce. The road was added to the Hawai‘i State Register of Historic Places in 2004.
An amended nomination was approved in March 2022. Updates included adding a new area of significance in the field of conservation. The amendment also describes alterations to the road since the original listing, including effects of the storm event of April 2018 which caused damage by flooding, landslides and debris. The amended nomination determines the Kauaʻi Belt Road continues to be significant under Criteria A and C retaining sufficient integrity despite roadway modifications occurring after 2002. The amended nomination includes conservation as an additional area of significance at the State and local level, acknowledging substantial historic preservation efforts occurring since the 1970s. During that time, community concerns with future growth and development on the North Shore spurred public outcry to Hawai‘i Department of Transportation’s widening of Hanalei Bridge and proposals to alter Kaua‘i Belt Road with the community desiring to preserve its rural nature. Hanalei Belt Road is recognized as a character defining feature of Kaua‘i’s greater North Shore cultural landscape representing the natural and cultural history of the area.
This list of Hawaii’s historic properties is provided as a public service by Historic Hawaii Foundation. It is not the official list of properties designated on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places. For official designations and determinations of eligibility, contact the State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources of the State of Hawaii at 808-692-8015.