It might finally be time to play ball at a new park along Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo.
It might finally be time to play ball at a new park along Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo.
Hawaii County Parks and Recreation Director Roxcie Waltjen said her department is looking at a grand opening ceremony for the Kuawa ball fields next month.
While the grass has looked grown in for some time, she said they were waiting for it to be established enough to hold up to football, soccer and baseball games.
Recent rains caused problems in the fields with uneven surfaces and ponding that further delayed the opening, Waltjen said.
The $3.36 million project started in May 2016 and initially was scheduled to be complete the following October. A fuel line discovered underneath the site also caused some delays.
Another issue is the lack of bathrooms.
Waltjen said the project didn’t include bathroom facilities but the department is trying to get those added at no cost. Portable toilets will be available in the meantime.
Parks planner James Komata said that didn’t delay the project.
With the baseball diamond facing Kamehameha Avenue, he said games will be limited to Little League or coach-pitch levels.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.