MAUNA KEA RECREATION AREA — It was a brisk, windy, rainy day Thursday at the Mauna Kea Recreation Area, but it was nice and cozy inside after several dozen people crowded into the newly renovated dining hall to celebrate the grand opening of the county’s overhaul of the former state park.
“It’s always a good day to open up someplace for the public to use,” said Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma.
The county plans to put the final touches on six cabins and two bunkhouses later this month. Meanwhile, the park opening was included in a flurry of maile lei untyings and celebrations as Mayor Billy Kenoi finishes his last week as mayor. The term-limited Kenoi leaves office at noon Monday.
Kenoi waxed nostalgic over his past 15 years in the mayor’s office — seven as executive assistant to former mayor and now Mayor-elect Harry Kim, and eight as mayor himself.
“What a beautiful place to call home,” Kenoi said. “And what better place to fix up and open up for the people of this island. … This shouldn’t be one neglected place.”
State Sen. Kai Kahele also was in a reflective mood. He recounted how his father, the late state Sen. Gil Kahele, drove by the then state park for 28 years to his job at Pohakuloa Training Area. It pained his father to see the park neglected, and the most painful to the “proud Marine” was when he’d drive by and the American flag no longer flew in front of the park.
“When he saw the American flag flying again,” Kahele said, choking a little on his words, “that meant a lot to my dad. Today, I can’t help but think of my dad.”
Kahele said his father was so moved by the return of the flag, he stopped, took a photo and texted it to his son.
Hawaii County took over management of the 32-acre park from the state in 2014 in order to improve the facilities. Since then, the county has created a 3,700-square-foot playground on artificial turf, opened new restrooms, paved the parking area, created a picnic area, installed lighted flag poles, landscaped the area and hired security.
The project, which has cost $11.6 million so far, also includes paved pathways for walking and running. At 6,500 feet, the park is a prime high-altitude training area for world-class athletes, Kenoi said.
Once complete and the fees put into place by administrative rule, the six-person cabins will rent for $75 nightly to kamaaina and $150 nightly to visitors. The 24-person bunkhouses, which includes use of the kitchen and dining hall, will go for $240 nightly for kamaaina and $480 nightly for visitors.
Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com.
