Question: What is the status of the Ala Wai Dog Park? It was reported that the park was supposed to open this spring. Then a gentleman near the park a month ago said the park would open in June after some water fountains were installed. It’s now July, and there is still a padlock on the gate.
Answer: There is no target date for the opening of the dog park.
"There are still a couple of things that need to happen before the city can open it," said Mark Yonamine, acting director of the Department of Design and Construction.
A contractor will be removing four coconut trees at the request of the city Department of Parks and Recreation’s Division of Urban Forestry. Also, the Parks Department is awaiting water fountains and a bench to be provided by the Ala Wai K9 Playground Association.
"It’s dependent on Ala Wai K9 providing the furnishings," Yonamine said.
Judy Wright, treasurer of the Ala Wai K9 Playground Association, said the park opening has been delayed because the group needed to get a blueprint certified by an architect for concrete pads for the water fountains.
A waterline was put in a few weeks ago, but it can’t be hooked up until the concrete slabs are approved.
"We will be sending the plans to (the Department of Parks and Recreation) for approval this week," Wright told us Monday. "Hopefully, they will be approved and we can proceed with this project."
She said the association was formed solely to create an off-leash dog park in the Ala Wai Park area and has been working to that end for more than eight years.
"There are many condos in this area, and most don’t have pet areas," she said. "There is a great need for pets and their humans to go and socialize."
The association has spent more than $4,100 for a kiosk message center and two benches. The concrete pads will cost about $2,500, while two water fountains will run about $800, "but the labor to install (the fountains) is being donated," Wright said.
Question: Who is responsible for the care of the frontage along Diamond Head Road, mauka of Diamond Head Crater? The adjoining property at 4087 Diamond Head Road is now occupied by the Department of Education, School Maintenance Division. There had been an attractive hedge of red hibiscus plants along the road, but it’s now an eyesore of weeds and decaying plants that are not being watered. It’s a blight on our community, and we’d like to see it properly cared for. The DOE seems oblivious.
Answer: The DOE apologized for taking more than two months to respond, as it looked to determine who was responsible for maintenance.
The DOE does not own that strip of public land.
"But we are responsible for maintaining it, just as homeowners maintain the sidewalk area fronting their property," DOE spokesman Alex Da Silva explained.
In the past a private citizen had hired a landscaper to take care of the area, he said. But that landscaper has not been seen in a while.
The overgrowth has been trimmed, and the DOE "will continue to upkeep the area on a regular schedule," including watering, Da Silva said.
Auwe
» To the occupants in a maroon car who let their golden Labrador retriever out the back door to take a dump at Ka’elepulu Playground, also known as Triangle Park, in Kailua early one morning. You didn’t even bother to get out of the car. After the dog took care of business and got back in, you drove off. Looks like a pretty familiar routine for all of you. That’s kukae (manure). — One Who Appreciates Parks
» To irresponsible and inconsiderate dog owners in Manoa who leave trails of dog droppings on sidewalks in various areas. Auwe also to the owner who allows his dog to urinate on our wall and to the smoker who litters his butts on the sidewalk, driveway and by the storm drain, which empties into Manoa Stream and ultimately into the ocean. Please curb your dogs, scoop their poop and don’t litter! — Disgusted Manoa Residents
Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
