After the maile lei was untied and the hundreds of people had trickled into the new covered play courts at Pahoa District Park during its grand opening ceremony, one parent looked around at the three scoreboards, six basketball nets, one volleyball net, two sets of bleachers, and summed it up: “This is radical.”
After the maile lei was untied and the hundreds of people had trickled into the new covered play courts at Pahoa District Park during its grand opening ceremony, one parent looked around at the three scoreboards, six basketball nets, one volleyball net, two sets of bleachers, and summed it up: “This is radical.”
“What do you think?” she asked a group of kids testing out the bleachers.
“Yeah,” a smiling youngster said. “It’s good.”
Work on the park began more than two years ago. Saturday’s opening marked the completion of phase one, which comprises 29 acres of new additions off Kauhale Street on the hill overlooking the Pahoa Community Center.
The additions nearly triple the amount of recreational space at the park. Besides the covered courts, they include two baseball fields, two multipurpose fields, a playground, concessions area, more than 370 parking spaces and restrooms. The baseball fields and one of the multipurpose fields have lights for night games.
“I’m just blown away by all the uses this park can have,” said Hawaii County Councilman Daniel Paleka during the morning speeches, which featured Mayor Billy Kenoi, county Councilman Greggor Ilagan and representatives from county Parks and Recreation.
State Sen. Russell Ruderman and state Rep. Joy San Buenaventura also attended.
Master of ceremonies Kanani Aton called the new space “a lighthouse to this community” and the crowning jewel of a series of county projects in Puna that include the transfer station and fire station.
Rain fell throughout the ceremony, prompting Kenoi to joke about the “beautiful day” when he approached the podium to speak.
“A lot of people in other places, they stay home when it rains,” he said. “In Puna, we go play.”
Kenoi, who was born and raised in the district, said he wanted kids from Puna to “feel special when the kids come from Hilo for tournaments, or they come from Kona.”
“I like the kids in Puna hold their head up, and feel proud,” he said. “Because the most beautiful recreation facility in the entire state of Hawaii is in Pahoa.”
Paleka, who wore a soccer jersey, said sports had been an important part of his life growing up, and gave a nod to the coaches whose teams will now be able to use the park facilities.
“It’s these individuals, these dedicated souls, who do so much for our keiki,” he said.
After a blessing by kumu Moses Kaho‘okele Crabbe, a series of sports clinics kicked off, some hosted by Team Nspyr and the University of Hilo at Hawaii Vulcans. A Hawaii Isle Police Activities League basketball tournament kicked off on one of the indoor courts.
“For me, it’s really exciting. I’ve been here since the groundbreaking,” said recreation director Jacob Naki. “I love it. … I grew up in a gym, grew up on a field. It’s an honor to give back to the community.”
Construction of the park began during the summer of 2014. It was halted shortly after as the June 27 lava flow advanced toward Pahoa, and restarted in April 2015.
The bulk of the project was financed through a $20 million county bond approved by the Hawaii County Council in early 2014. Total costs for phase one are close to $24 million.
Estimates for the full cost of the park, including the second phase, were about $54 million.
Phase two includes a track, a multipurpose field, baseball field and an amphitheater. When complete, the park will span 71 acres.
Email Ivy Ashe at iashe@hawaiitribune-herald.com.