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A vacant 6.8 acre parcel in Kailua in two years could become the first park of its kind in Hawaii — dog friendly and complete with water features, rock climbing apparatus, playground equipment, workout machines and a community garden.
“It will be state of the art,” state Rep. Chris Lee, (D, Kailua-Lanikai-Waimanalo), told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “It will be the first of its kind in Hawaii.
The still-unnamed park will boast several firsts: First dog park on the Windward side; first park in 30 years in Kailua; and first to involve two transfers of land from a private entity — Alexander & Baldwin — to the state, and then to the city.
The state has budgeted $3.8 million for development, and the city will manage the park once it opens, according to City Councilman Ikaika Anderson, who represents the area.
The park will be the first on the Windward side “where dogs are officially welcomed,” said Anderson, who grew up hunting crustaceans in Maunawili Stream that borders the proposed park.
Anderson told members of the Windward Dog Park Hui and their 19 dogs who visited the vacant parcel along with city and state officials Tuesday that he illegally walks his three dogs in city parks and cemeteries because it’s the only convenient way to give them exercise.
Anderson said he is also committed to creating a second Windward dog park on city-owned land next to Bay View Golf Course in Kaneohe.
He called the proposed park on Hamakua Drive on the edge of Kailua Town — between Aoloa and Akoakoa streets — “a meeting place for (dogs) and for our community.”
The proposal for a dog park somewhere in Kailua has been “at least 20 years in the making,” said Janine Tully, president of Windward Dog Park Hui, who lives in Kaneohe. “This is a momentous occasion.”
The nearest dog parks are in Hawaii Kai and Mililani, so one in Kailua “is going to be great for the community,” Tully said.
As she posed for pictures, Laura Myers, a Kaneohe member of the Windward Dog Park Hui, smiled and said to no one in particular, “I can’t believe this is happening. It feels like a dream.”
Lee said future community meetings will help determine the specifics for the new park. But he envisions a portion of the park will be set aside for dogs and their owners that will include state-of-the-art dog exercise equipment and water features.
“Five or six” man-made, rock climbing apparatuses also could be included and configured to accommodate everyone from beginners to advanced climbers.
The climbing rocks don’t have to be tall to give even expert climbers a good workout, probably no higher than 12 feet tall, Lee said. Proper signage and ground material would be included to reduce any liabilities, he said.
“People would be climbing at their own risk,” Lee said.
He’s working with three nonprofit groups — Windward Dog Park Hui, the Outdoor Circle and climbing organization The Arch Project — to ensure the new park will adopt best practices from across the nation.
The site for the proposed park finally makes use of a spot that’s been designated as preservation land but over the years has been eyed for everything from a proposed hotel to restaurants to a tennis compound.
“In the last 10 years I’ve heard half-a-dozen proposals,” Lee said. “Nobody wants to see this land turned into a massive development.”
State Rep. Cynthia Thielen (R, Kailua-Kaneohe) called the land “a difficult parcel to develop because of the preservation designation and water (wetlands) nearby.”
The idea for a community park aimed at residents — especially dog owners — “makes wonderful sense,” Thielen said. “This would be a spot for locals. That’s what’s missing nowadays.”
The preservation designation always proved an impossible barrier to overcome for commercial development.
After A&B acquired the real estate assets of Kaneohe Ranch in 2013, the company agreed to donate the land to the state, A&B spokesman Darren Pai said.
The state Legislature then budgeted $3.8 million to develop the property into a park after A&B transfers ownership — en route to turning the developed park over to the city to manage.
“This is unusual,” Lee told the Star-Advertiser. “It’s the first one of its kind. This is exciting.”
PROPOSED PARK
Plans for a yet unnamed park on the Windward side include a dog park with water features, rock climbing apparatus, playground equipment, workout machines and a community garden.
>> Where: 6.8 acres on Hamakua Drive between Aoloa and Akoakoa streets
>> Funding: $3.8 million from state Legislature
>> When: Could open in 18 months to 2 years
CHANGE OF HANDS
>> Alexander & Baldwin will donate land to the state
>> State will develop park and transfer it to the city
>> City will take on management
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