Vandalized Nakamura sign to be replaced soon at park

Question: What became of the sign for “Michael S. Nakamura Neighborhood Park” in Mililani? It originally was put up a couple of years ago with all the standard hoopla of dignitaries. Then the sign started to come apart, so it was taken down and redone but soon came apart again. We haven’t seen that sign since then. The foundation is still there.

Answer: Three years since we addressed the question of the missing park sign (goo.gl/hpCj8), city officials are hopeful a new, more durable sign finally will be in place by May.

The major problem is with vandals, who have damaged the sign and its replacements numerous times since it was first installed in April 2008, when the former Mililani Town Center Park was rededicated in honor of Nakamura.

Nakamura, who was Honolulu police chief from 1990 to 1997, died in 2006.

City officials are frustrated about how long manufacturing a new sign has taken.

A typical city parks sign cannot be used because there are too many words to fit, said Lori Kahikina, director of the city Department of Design and Construction.

“The original sign was donated, and we want to ensure that the intent of this sign, which was to memorialize the accomplishments of a decorated officer, be maintained,” she explained.

Because of the continual vandalism — the sign has been replaced three times — specialized material manufactured on the mainland is being used. The final design was submitted to the manufacturer in late 2011.

“However, apparently it is common in the sign industry that they all shut down during the holiday season,” Kahikina said. The manufacturer didn’t reopen until mid-January.

The sign will take about eight weeks to manufacture, which means a completion date in mid- to late March. The sign then needs to be shipped to Hono­lulu and installed.

Kahikina said she is crossing her fingers that it can be put up by the end of April.

“This will be the fourth and hopefully the last time we need to replace it,” she said. The first three times, there were no additional costs to the city. This time the city is picking up the tab, which is expected to be less than $5,000.

Question: Who do I contact about a definite lack of road signs in the Kapolei area, with all its new construction and new roads? There are all new roads, but no new signs that direct you to Kapolei. Is there a game plan for new signs?

Answer: Yes, and you should see the signs going up in the next three months.

Destination signs for the H-1 freeway, westbound, and around the new entrances and exits between Maka­kilo Drive and Farrington Highway, near Wet ‘n’ Wild,are expected to be installed in the next three months, said Dan Meisenzahl, spokes­man for the state Department of Transportation.

The freeway signs — those large, green directional signs — are among the final tasks of the H-1 freeway’s Kapolei Interchange project, he said.

That project included a new westbound entrance from Maka­kilo Drive, a westbound exit to Farrington Highway, an eastbound exit to Wakea Street and the Kapolei area and an eastbound entrance from Wakea and Kapolei.

Mahalo

To the cashier at the Kahuhipa Street Aloha gas station and to Kaneohe police. Thanks to their quick and caring help, my husband’s evening stroll at the end of January ended happily. — Very Appreciative Wife

To the elderly Chinese couple who returned the wallet I lost at the Aloha Stadium swap meet to the Chinatown police station on Feb. 13. The police said you didn’t leave your names. Miracles still happen. I wanted to express my thankfulness for your act of kindness and honesty in your native tongue of Mandarin or Cantonese: “xie xie” and “toa chie.” — Doni Chong

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