On Politics: City has prime opportunity for hits at Kakaako parks, but major error at Ala Moana site

Let’s get the good stuff out front. The city’s Honolulu Zoo is a great walk. The broad lawns, canopy of spreading old trees and clear signage make for a pleasant cool morning or afternoon stroll. The public bathrooms are the city’s cleanest facilities, and I bet the most undamaged in all of Honolulu’s parks.

That said, consider the condition, care and planning of most of Honolulu’s parks.

There isn’t a Honolulu mayor, going all the way back to Frank Fasi, who has not been just staggered by what a good job he or she has done with our parks. But we all know that much more work, not more bragging, is what is needed before Mayor Kirk Caldwell can earn real praise for today’s Honolulu parks.

One year ago, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser listed four major city pools that were simply “closed until further notice”: Kailua, Salt Lake, Waialua and Waipahu. Since then Kailua and Salt Lake have been reopened, and Pearl City has moved onto the “closed, closed, closed” list along with Waialua and Waipahu. Obviously the city should learn to think “preventive maintenance,” not “deferred maintenance,” as the watch words for municipal pool strategy.

This is a good time to consider how the city takes care of its pools and by extension its parks — and Caldwell’s stewardship, because his administration just got important new responsibilities and is about to make a major mistake.

First, the city is now in charge of Kakaako Waterfront Park plus adjacent park lands, given in a transfer from the state’s Hawaii Community Development Authority. Kakaako is the never-realized urban jewel of former Gov. John Waihee’s vision: To make an urban planning statement by transforming a garbage dump into an oceanside site of rolling hills, shady gathering spots, a surf-splashed promenade and even an entertainment venue.

If you are a kid, it tempts you to head-on running and swimming. Families add the picnics and stretch out in simple relaxation. The state, with its add-on HCDA bureaucracy, was unable to prevent constant vandalism or homeless invasions, or even just keep the grass watered — and Kakaako’s major park is a state-sponsored disaster.

Perhaps the handoff is the right move. Without being hopelessly optimistic, the city does have a lot of folks who can use weed-whackers and know how to enforce park closure rules. On the other hand, the city has given up the fight and let other urban parks decay or become overrun by the homeless.

At the same time, the city, at Caldwell’s insistence, is driving ahead to remake a major portion of Ala Moana Regional Park. The planned remodel is driven by a nonprofit, Pa‘ani Kakou, which is joining with the city to build what is called an inclusive children’s playground. Think Disneyland, not Central Park.

It would take one acre out of Ala Moana park, cover it with zip lines, protective synthetic mats and a splash pad, which supporters say would allow children with disabilities to enjoy a day at the park.

Citizens’ groups Malama Moana and Save Ala Moana Beach Park Hui popped up to protest Caldwell’s ill-considered idea. Adding to the controversy is a report by Civil Beat that “Pa‘ani Kakou was formed by four officers, all of whom have direct connections to the ultra-luxury condominium Park Lane Ala Moana, across the street from their proposed playground.”

So there is a suspicion that the well-off are getting special treatment while other park users are ignored. That’s not a people’s park, a gift to the city or a legacy of careful stewardship.

Richard Borreca writes on politics on Sundays. Reach him at 808onpolitics@gmail.com.