Council committee voices opposition to park updates

A Honolulu City Council committee voiced opposition Tuesday to key parts of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s plan for improving Ala Moana Regional Park.

The Parks, Community Services and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee approved a resolution, Resolution 19-92, calling on the mayor to reconsider:

>> Widening the walkway on the makai side of Ala Moana Park Drive.

>> Adding a dog park near Kewalo Basin.

>> Adding perpendicular stalls on the mauka side of Ala Moana Park Drive.

>> Replenishing the shoreline with sand from several surf breaks in the vicinity.

>> Installing a public- private playground designed to be accessible and sensitive to the needs of children with disabilities.

The resolution was introduced by Council members Mike Formby and Ann Kobayashi, who represent the area surrounding the 100-acre “people’s park.” Formby and Kobayashi said they were “joining with local residents’ opposition to certain planned improvements.”

Caldwell first proposed to “restore, revitalize, enhance, and improve” the park in April 2016. The city published a 900-page draft environmental impact statement on the planned changes in June.

Formby said numerous park users have told him that they have asked Caldwell’s administration to preserve the park and its traditional uses.

“The community of people who use this park regularly have collectively asked, respectfully, for less (renovation),” Formby said.

The committee’s objections mirror those raised by community groups Malama Moana and the Save Ala Moana Park Hui.

Formby began representing Council District 4 in February on an interim basis pending the outcome of a do-over election between Trevor Ozawa and Tommy Waters. Waters won the election and will replace Formby once the election results are confirmed, probably early next month.

Formby said it was significant to him that both Ozawa and Waters “listened to this community and publicly opposed the administration’s proposed park improvement project.”

Councilman Ron Menor said he disagrees with the resolution’s opposition to the sand replenishment and the playground. He said he has not heard testimony refuting the scientific evidence that the beach is eroding and in need of replenishment.

Councilman Ikaika Anderson said he also supports leaving the playground proposal in the master plan.

Deputy Parks Director Jeanne Ishikawa said some of the improvements are critical for the long-term future of the park. She noted that the rate of erosion occurring along the sand is approximately 2-1/2 feet a year. The goal of the project is to ensure sand remains on the beach so that parkgoers will be able to walk “without stepping on rocks,” Ishikawa said.

Sharlene Chun-Lum, a member of the Save Ala Moana Park Hui, said regular parkgoers support keeping the park as is. “It just needs care and maintenance for health and safety,” she said. “We don’t need additional projects that are not proven or practical, unsafe or untested, and do not take into account climate change or the reality of sea level rise.”

Several of the parents involved with the Pa‘ani Kakou playground project urged committee members to remove language opposing the playground. Some who support the resolution said a playground at Ala Moana is not needed because the ocean is the main attraction.

Parent Sam King said the playground being proposed is no different from the large chunks of park acreage dedicated to other activities including tennis and lawn bowling.

“People will use this playground, I promise you,” King said.