Hawaii County on Thursday held a ceremony commemorating the reopening of an improved and expanded Gilbert Carvalho Park in Hilo.
Hawaii County on Thursday held a ceremony commemorating the reopening of an improved and expanded Gilbert Carvalho Park in Hilo.
Mayor Billy Kenoi and Hilo Councilman Donald Ikeda joined Carvalho family members in the blessing ceremony for the park’s new off-street parking area located mauka of the baseball field.
Kenoi credited Ikeda for having the vision to improve the park and the persistence to see the project realized. He also praised the cooperation between the County Departments of Parks & Recreation, Public Works, and Environmental Management to get the project done.
Ikeda presented Ruby Carvalho, widow of Gilbert Carvalho, with a framed copy of a 1955 County Council resolution naming the park after him. Although he passed away at age 25, Gilbert Carvalho was described in the resolution as “Hawai‘i’s greatest athlete.”
The gravel parking lot, which doubles the amount of available parking, has a two-tiered design that provides for outstanding vantage spots for watching games and other park activities. Connecting the lot to the ball field is a new bridge that crosses a fresh-water spring and natural pool, adding to the park’s accessibility and ambiance.
For years, spectators who flock to the park to watch baseball and softball games have parked along the shoulder and grassy median of Waianuenue Avenue. This practice has impeded ambulances and other emergency vehicles rushing to nearby Hilo Medical Center, creating a hazard for both park users and people needing medical treatment, according to the county.
A certificate commemorating the Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and acknowledging its efforts to perpetuate Portuguese culture was presented to Margo Aguiar, widow of Dennis Aguiar. The annual Dennis Aguiar Portuguese Day-in-the-Park is set for today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In celebrating all things Portuguese, the festival will feature an 11 a.m. performance by the Hawaii County Band, genealogy booths and the serving of free Portuguese bean soup and bread at noon.
The new parking lot is part of an approximately $890,000 upgrade that includes remodeling of the gymnasium restrooms, new paved walking paths meeting federal accessibility standards, and installation of new bleachers.
The park features a lighted baseball field, gymnasium, pavilions and keiki playground.