Numerous improvement projects in parks and recreational facilities across Hawaii County are nearing the finish line as the Parks and Recreation Department sets goals for next year.
Several county parks have undergone or are currently being renovated to be compliant with the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The improvements include new ramps, concrete walkways, seating, compliant bathrooms and parking stalls.
According to Parks and Rec Director Maurice Messina, all of the parks currently undergoing ADA work will be complete by the end of 2024.
The work at Richardson Ocean Park is near completion, with just a few details left to finish the project. The department is planning to hold a blessing at the end of November.
Some of the changes include improvements to the comfort stations, showers and parking, along with new ramps and pathways that provide more accessibility to the beach.
ADA-compliance projects have been completed at Papa‘aloa Park, Pa‘auilo Park, Kahuku Park, Na‘alehu Park and Pahala Park.
The first community meeting regarding the design of the new open-air gym at Papa‘aloa Park is slated for Friday, Nov. 17.
The old gym was demolished due to years of termite damage and deferred maintenance.
Magic Sands Beach Park in Kona is open after undergoing ADA improvements, but the parking lot is still closed pending approval from the State Historical Preservation Division.
Parks and Rec currently is drafting bid documents for contractors for ADA improvements to Miloli‘i Beach Park. The bid will be out in about a month, and construction could proceed in March 2024.
The NAS Pool and Pahala Swimming Pool have been closed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and have remained closed due to the need for ADA improvements.
Messina said the NAS Pool is 75% complete and could reopen by March 2024. Many of the structures were demolished and are being replaced with ADA-compliant ramps, bathrooms and bleachers.
The Pahala Swimming Pool is undergoing work on the plaster floor to bring it into compliance with ADA standards. Messina predicts the pool will reopen in July 2024.
Work is ongoing at Kolekole Beach Park, which is on track to reopen by the end of December or early January. While the ADA project will be complete, soil remediation to remove lead at the park will be ongoing, along with a more permanent bridge repair project.
While the ADA projects are close to complete, the department also is working on several other projects across the county that are in various stages.
The Waiakea Uka Community Center and Park improvements and construction are ongoing with no delays in sight, according to Messina.
The complex will be partially closed through the end of May 2024 for upgrades to the baseball fields and community center and expansion of the park.
Parks and Rec also will be upgrading the fencing and flooring in the open-air court at the Billy Kenoi District Park in Pahoa. The court will need to close during the work, but those dates have not been set.
Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency also still need to be used for grass and groundwork at the park.
FEMA-funded repairs to Isaac Hale Beach Park in Kalapana are being planned but no construction work has started. The repairs and improvements are budgeted at $3.1 million.
The Carvalho Gym in Hilo suffered damage from Hurricane Lane and still needs some repairs, which will be funded partially by FEMA.
Some county funding has been secured to improve the Laupahoehoe Boat Ramp, but dates for that work have not been set.
There are several large projects that are in the planning and environmental assessment stages, including a new park in Hawaii Paradise Park, Kikala-Keokea Park in Kalapana, Kealakehe Regional Park, the Hilo Skatepark and the Ocean View Skatepark.
These projects are awaiting decisions on final designs and plans as well as completed environmental assessments before funds can be negotiated and released for the next phases.
Kawananakoa Gym in Keaukaha is in disrepair and is in need of many improvements, according to Messina. That project is in the first stage of design and planning.
Other projects in the design and planning stage include renovations to the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and repairs to the Coconut Island Bridge.
The Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area is in the design and contract development stage for comfort station replacements.
There also are community partnerships to upgrade various parks, including the Volcano Skatepark and the Kona Community Aquatic Center. These projects are not contingent on designs, plans or environmental assessments.
The playgrounds at Harold H. Higashihara Park in Kailua-Kona and the Anuenue Park in Waimea will receive new safety surfacing and upgrades to the equipment in the next year, Messina said.
“It’s so great to get to these long-needed projects and to see the finish line for the ADA projects,” Messina said. “Our goal is to have as many construction projects completed next year and to have the entirety of the ADA projects completed next year.”
The department also will be focusing on restoring dilapidated courts and gyms across the island and drawing lines for more pickleball courts.
“Many of these projects are contracted out, and through these projects, we are able to keep a lot of folks working,” Messina said. “Once we get all the projects out of the design and planning phases, our plan is to be aggressive with the construction so we can give these facilities back over to the public.”
The department is looking for an architect to help with design and planning of facilities and parks.
Those interested can contact Parks and Recreation at (808) 961-8311 or over email at parks_recreation@hawaiicounty.gov.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.