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Kapaia Swinging Bridge

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Kapaia Swinging Bridge is a 125-foot-long pedestrian span which crosses Hanamaulu Stream near Lihue.  This span was installed in 1948 as a replacement for an earlier bridge to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  The Kapaia Swinging Bridge was closed in 2006 following maintenance neglect but ultimately was restored in 2018. 


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. 




The history of the Kapaia Swinging Bridge

Kapaia Swinging Bridge serves as a pedestrian footbridge from Lihue to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  Said footbridge crosses Hanamaulu Stream at the end of Laukini Road and connects to the church grounds.

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church was constructed in 1924.  Originally the church was served via a conventional footbridge at Hanamaulu Stream.  This bridge can be seen in a 1920s photo which can be found at the end of Laukini Road.  The current highway bridge carrying Hawaii Route 56 wasn't constructed until 1933.  


The original footbridge at Hanamaulu Stream was destroyed in 1941.  The structure wasn't replaced until the Kapaia Swinging Bridge was constructed in 1948.  This wire/cable suspension swinging bridge is 125 feet long and the main span is 80 feet in length. 

The Kapaia Swinging Bridge was closed to pedestrian traffic in 2006 due to maintenance neglect.  The structure was placed on the Hawaii State Register of Historic Places in 2008.  The main foot span of the structure was heavily damaged during a storm on March 9, 2012.  Following the storm restoration of the structure would take place in 2018 using the original design drawings.


These views are facing the Kapaia Swinging Bridge from the end of Lankini Road. 




These photos are approaching the Kapaia Swinging Bridge heading west from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.  









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