Hanapepe Swinging Bridge

Hanapepe Swinging Bridge is located on Kauai and is the "Biggest Little Town". It spans Hanapepe river. Connecting a quiet and rural side of the river to where the shopping and businesses are located. This provides residents and guests an "over water foot path short cut" instead of a long walk to cement bridges located down river. This is a cable suspension bridge suspended by two wooden towers. Notice the steel cables fastened into the concrete base. These cables are firmly planted and very secure.

Though this looks like the bridge, it is a ramp leading up to the bridge entry way.  The sides are an open wire type of arrangement, fastened to vertical 2x4's. The handrails are 2x6's slightly angled inward. This ramp is surprisingly sturdy. Notice the years of wear and use. This is a classic island patina.

Beginning the walk across the bridge, we begin our walk across from the business side to the more 'rural' and 'quiet' side. It is also quite weathered. Similar to the boarding ramp, the sides are also open wire type of arrangement, fastened to vertical 2x4's.  In some places, open wire sections have been compromised. The handrails are also 2x6's and slightly angled. It's best to walk slowly and confidently across the bridge because it will sway and bounce. It's ok to stop in the middle and take in the the sights and enjoy clean island air.

Below shows the far side of the bridge and the wooden towers holding up the steel cables. There has been some recent maintenance as the lumber looks to be in a good state of repair. The red dirt is simply awesome. Be sure to have your personal items secured. If they fall, good chance it will be hard to retrieve. If it is electronic, well, sorry to say, it's gone.

Hanapepe is a very nice town. It used to be quite bustling. There were a few gas stations, movie theater, pool halls, shoe store, small outlet store, an old style pharmacy (comic books, soda fountain, lime aid [tart]), hardware store and famous 'Saimin Corner", $1.90 for a bowl. Since then, the community has preserved the charm the best way possible. Though some of the stores are now touristy art studio's, a few small breakfast and lunch places, car parts store, craft's. It is a wonderful place to visit and shop the art studio's. They have good prices!