Hawaii County’s Department of Parks and Recreation added to its inventory of nearly 200 facilities Friday by opening a new community park in the Waiakea area of Hilo.
Hawaii County’s Department of Parks and Recreation added to its inventory of nearly 200 facilities Friday by opening a new community park in the Waiakea area of Hilo.
Roughly 100 people, including many from the Machado Acres community, gathered under sunny skies during a morning blessing ceremony for Machado Acres Park.
The 7.9-acre site features concrete walking paths that form three distinct loops, along with grassy play areas. It’s located on Keone Street, between Haihai Street and Ainaola Drive.
“A park is a pu‘uhonua (place of refuge),” Mayor Billy Kenoi told attendees. “It’s a safe haven for our children to go to get away from drugs, gangs and violence. It’s a safe place to build a healthy community.”
Generations of park users will be able to benefit from the wonderful area, Kenoi added.
Perseverance and cooperation were key factors in making the park a reality, said Hilo Councilman J Yoshimoto.
“I think this park signifies what beautiful things we can do when we work together,” Yoshimoto said. He was joined by Hilo Councilman Dennis “Fresh” Onishi, Hilo Councilman Donald Ikeda and former Hilo Councilman James Arakaki.
Yoshimoto presented Thelma Machado with a framed copy of Ordinance 11-90 officially naming the facility Machado Acres Park. Machado Acres subdivision is named after the Machado family, which developed the community.
“Thank you so much for coming,” Machado said after being the first person officially to enter the park following the untying of a ceremonial maile lei. “This is such an honor. Our family appreciates it.”