Hanapepe Swinging Bridge

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge is a 186-foot-long steel reinforcement pedestrian span located at the Hanapepe River on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. This structure was originally constructed in 1911 to facilitate pedestrian worker traffic between downtown Hanapepe and Hanapepe Valley. The span was damaged by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and underwent restoration which was completed in 1996.

This page is part of the Gribblenation Hawaii Roads series. A compellation of all Hawaii-related media from both Gribblenation and RoadwayWiz can be found by clicking here.

Part 1; the history of the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge was constructed over the Hanapepe River in 1911. This 186-foot-long bridge was built to facilitate workers being able to access Hanapepe Valley directly from downtown Hanapepe. This wire suspension swinging structure cuts off the 1911-era Hanapepe Road Bridge by about a half mile.

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge fell out of favor for commuters as the Kaumualii Highway (now Hawaii Route 50) was modernized when a then new highway span was installed at the Hanapepe River in 1938. The swing span would remain a notable attraction in downtown Hanapepe due to the width of the structure drawing tourists to cross.

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge appears north of Hanapepe Road on the 1963 United States Geological Survey map of Hanapepe.

The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge was severely damaged in 1992 by Hurricane Iniki. The original cables were replaced with modern steel, and the damaged planks were replaced. The restored swinging bridge would reopen to the public in 1996.

Part 2; a visit to the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge

These photos depict a crossing of the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge northward from Hanapepe Road.

The view facing eastward towards the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge.

A platform facing south over the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge displays the modern steel cables which are now part of the structure.

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