Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation - 483 updates — Nextdoor

Mayor Rick Blangiardi and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) welcome everyone to celebrate one of the most recognized symbols of aloha during the 96th Lei Day Celebration!

Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 2 days ago

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Photo from Public Information Officer Nathan S.

The tradition honoring Native Hawaiian culture and all things lei will be held on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Kapi‘olani Park Bandstand.

This year’s Lei Day theme of Komo mai kāu māpuna hoe (Dip your paddle in), invites everyone to enjoy this free event showcasing the skill and artistry of Hawai‘i’s lei makers. The event also features fantastic local entertainment and performances from hula halau. The following is the schedule of events at the bandstand:
9 a.m . - 9:45 a.m. Royal Hawaiian Band
10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Kilohana Hula Show by Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement presented by Southwest Airlines
11 a.m .- 12:30 p.m. Lei Court Ceremony
1 p.m. - 1:35 p.m. Ei Nei
1:50 p.m. - 2:25 p.m. Hōkū Zuttermeister
2:50 p.m. - 3:25 p.m. Hoʻokena
3:40 p.m. - 4:10 p.m. Mana Maoli Youth Collective
4:10 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Hālau Hula ʻO Hokulani

2024 Lei Queen Tehina Kaʻena Kahikina and her court (Princesses Angela, Makana, Madison, Sara, and Lulani) will reign over this year’s festivities. This includes the coveted Lei Contest Exhibit, showcasing some of the world’s most exquisite handcrafted lei in a variety of materials, colors, and styles. Those wishing to enter fresh flower lei for the contest must submit them between 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Lei Receiving Booth on the day of the celebration. The public will have an opportunity to experience the exhibit from 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., following the judging of the lei and the official opening of the exhibit by the Lei Court. For more information about the contest and the entire celebration event please visit bit.ly/HonoluluLeiDay

In addition, the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association will perform from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lei Exhibit Area, with Hawaiian artisans sharing their talents and skills in the nearby Kūlana Lei village. Vendors and event sponsors offering crafts, lei, and food will be available to the public throughout the celebration.

The closing ceremony for the annual Lei Day Celebration is held on the morning of May 2 at Mauna ‘Ala (The Royal Mausoleum) at 9 a.m., and at Kawaiāha‘o Church at approximately 10:15 a.m. During these events, lei from the Lei Contest are placed on the graves of Hawai‘i’s ali‘i (royalty). The public is also invited to attend these events.
Support for this event is provided by Hawai‘i Tourism Authority through the Community Enrichment Program. Mahalo to additional sponsors of this year’s celebration, including: Hula Grill Waikīkī, Handcrafters and Artisans Alliance, Friends of Honolulu Parks and Recreation, and Salon 808.

The first Lei Day was celebrated on May 1, 1927 with a few people wearing lei in downtown Honolulu. Over time, more and more people began to wear lei on May 1, and thus began the tradition of “May Day is Lei Day in Hawai‘i.” The first lei Queen, Miss Nina Bowman, was crowned by Honolulu Mayor Charles Arnold in 1928. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when large, in-person events were restricted, our island community found innovative ways to celebrate this uniquely Hawaiian holiday. This included a video presentation to mark Lei Day in 2021, and the Nā Lei Koa in 2020 to honor our first responders.

Public comment and conversations from these messages are not regularly monitored. To express additional concerns or questions pertaining to this announcement, or other Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) matters, please email parks@honolulu.gov

2 days ago Subscribers of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in General

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It was sunny skies with baseball on the minds of all who celebrated the 204th birthday of Alexander Joy Cartwright, Jr.

Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 18 Apr

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yesterday at his namesake park in Makiki. A home-run derby, performances by the Royal Hawaiian Band, and appearances from the Honolulu Fire Department, Mayor Blangiardi, Admiral Paparo, with loads of community leaders and local baseball advocates helped mark the occasion.

Considered the father of modern baseball, Cartwright is credited with establishing the field dimensions and many of the current game rules for America’s pasttime at Cartwright Neighborhood Park circa 1852.

But that’s not all Cartwright accomplished during his time in the islands. The first appointed Chief of the Honolulu Fire Department, Cartwright was also a trusted advisor to Queen Emma & King David Kalākaua, a Queen’s Hospital trustee, and a founding member of the: Hawai‘i Library, Hawai‘i Chamber of Commerce, and Bishop National Bank (aka First Hawaiian Bank).

This event also celebrates the public-private partnership with Mālama Kīpuka Hawai‘i, who have helped improve and maintain Cartwright’s namesake park for several years. This includes painting & maintaining murals on the adjacent overpass & basketball court, and providing upgrades to the field and baseball facilities.

Cartwright is buried at O‘ahu Cemetery, at a plot that has become a required stop for baseball fans in Hawai‘i. This is evident by the ever-present baseball gear and ho‘okupu left to pay respects to the “Father of Modern Baseball”. Hau‘oli lā Hānau Cartwright!

#cartwright #alexanderjoycartwright #baseball #cartwrightneighborhoodpark #makiki #oahu #playball #hawaii #baseballhistory #americaspasttime #parks #parksandrec

18 Apr Subscribers of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in General

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Following a month of nationwide voting, Ala Moana Regional Park was voted the 6th “Best City Park” in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.

Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 17 Apr

The 119-acre park located in the heart of Honolulu followed five other parks from around the country, celebrating these open spaces for the variety of activities offered. They include:
1. Gathering Place in Tulsa, OK
2. Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA
3. Forest Park in St. Louis, MO
4. Wildwood Preserve Metropark in Toledo, OH
5. Klyde Warren Park in Dallas, TX

In addition to this designation, the Honolulu Department of Design and Construction’s Ala Moana Regional Park project to restore and enhance the park’s features received an American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawai‘i Honor Award as part of their 2024 Engineering Excellence Competition. The project involved the repair of collapsed and damaged canal walls, expansion of pedestrian access at the Pi‘ikoi and Queen Street entries, and improved pond edges and paths. The project was completed in partnership with Bowers and Kubota Consulting who served as the prime consultant. Read more about this excellent effort by visiting: https://www8.honolulu.gov/ddc/acec/

For more information about this historic park, visit its dedicated website: bit.ly/AlaMoanaPark

The USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards highlight top-notch attractions and businesses, providing readers with trusted recommendations. Recently, the Honolulu Zoo was voted the 4th “Best Zoo in America,” focusing on zoos that excel in animal care and enrichment, while developing meaningful interactions between animals and humans.

Public comment and conversations from these messages are not regularly monitored. To express additional concerns or questions pertaining to this announcement, or other Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) matters, please email parks@honolulu.gov

#alamoana #alamoanapark #alamoanaregionalpark #beachpark #honolulu #hawaii #oahu #honoluluparksandrec #parksandrec

Edited 17 Apr · Posted Apr 17, 2024 Subscribers of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in General

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After an extensive nine-month effort by the U.

Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 16 Apr

S. Navy to evaluate the feasibility of a proposed landfill site on Waipiʻo Peninsula, Navy officials in Hawaiʻi notified Mayor Rick Blangiardi last week that the military is “unable to support the development of a landfill on this property,” eliminating it from the City’s consideration.

The decision, via letter dated April 12, 2024 and signed by Admiral John C. Aquilino, commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, was based on concerns regarding the site’s proximity to near-shore waters and “the Navy’s mission critical operations and training activities in the vicinity of the Waipio peninsula.”

In 2019, the state Land Use Commission (LUC) issued a decision and order that required the City to identify an alternative landfill site to Waimanalo Gulch, the site of the current landfill, no later than December 31, 2022. The City conducted a formal landfill site selection analysis between 2021 and 2022 — in addition to a previous analysis that had been completed in 2012 — through a mayor-appointed Landfill Advisory Committee.

The LUC’s 2019 decision and order, however, predated the Hawai’i State Legislature’s 2020 passing of Act 73, which prohibited the construction, modification or expansion of waste disposal facilities without first establishing a buffer zone of no less than one-half mile between the edge of the facility and the nearest residential, school or hospital property line. Act 73 also prohibited waste or disposal facilities in conservation districts, except under emergency circumstances.

Between 2021 and 2022, the Landfill Advisory Committee held a total of eight meetings, evaluating and scoring six proposed landfill sites. At the December 14, 2021 meeting, the Board of Water Supply (BWS) raised concerns regarding the siting of a landfill within its No Pass Zone, noting that all six potential sites under consideration were situated above drinking water aquifers.

Roughly two months later, at the Landfill Advisory Committee’s February 7, 2022 meeting, committee members noted that placing a landfill within the BWS No Pass Zone would be a concern.

In their final report, dated June 2022, the Landfill Advisory Committee ranked the six potential sites but chose not to recommend any of them for use as the City’s next landfill site, citing their location within the BWS No Pass Zone.

In November 2022, the City requested a formal response on the issue from BWS, which responded by saying that it did not approve any of the six proposed sites because they were located in the No Pass Zone.

Given the limitations of Act 73 and the Board of Water Supply’s position on siting landfills in the No Pass Zone, the City filed an application with the Department of Planning and Permitting in December 2022 to modify the December 31, 2022 deadline to identify an alternative landfill site. In its application, the City noted that when Act 73 and the BWS No Pass Zone are applied as restrictions, there are no potential landfill sites available on Oʻahu except on federal lands.

After filing the application to modify the deadline, the City began high-level conversations with the military about federal properties that could potentially be used to site a new landfill. These federal properties were located outside of the limitations of Act 73 and outside the No Pass Zone — with the Waipiʻo Peninsula identified as one such property.

In conducting due diligence on federal properties, Mayor Blangiardi and Managing Director Michael Formby engaged in discussions with Admiral Aquilino and other military leaders in 2023 regarding the military’s assistance in siting a new landfill on Oʻahu. Mayor Blangiardi thanks Admiral Aquilino and other military officials, including Rear Admiral Stephen D. Barnett, the commander of Navy Region Hawai’i, for their commitment to working collaboratively with the City on the shared objective of finding a suitable landfill site that benefits the greater Oʻahu community.

“I want to express my deep appreciation and gratitude for the extraordinary effort that Admiral Aquilino and his command have provided the City and County of Honolulu over the course of this process,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi.

With Mayor Blangiardi having already eliminated federal lands on the Waiʻanae Coast from consideration, and with federal lands in Waimānalo near Bellows Air Force Station also excluded by the military, the City will pursue other possible alternatives, including the Landfill Advisory Committee’s recommendation that the City explore an amendment to Act 73 that would reduce the minimum buffer distance and/or utilize conservation lands to make additional sites available for consideration. The City also intends to engage in discussions with the Board of Water Supply to discuss best management practices for a possible landfill site within a No Pass Zone.

#waipio #waipiopeninsula #waipiosoccercomplex #oahu #hawaii #landfill

16 Apr Subscribers of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in General

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Though the rain this morning, April 12, 2024, will help with some of the drought conditions, it has resulted in the closure/suspension of activities at several park facilities around O‘ahu including:

Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 12 Apr

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• Camping at Kalaeloa Beach Park (suspended through this weekend, April 15, 2024)
• Baseball fields at Patsy T. Mink Central O‘ahu Regional Park
• Booth District Park Gymnasium
• ‘Aiea District Park Gymnasium

Kalaeloa camping permittees affected by this closure will be notified and will receive a refund. We remind the public to keep updated on weather situations and to follow all suggested precautions. We also remind camping permittees to check the Camping Website at https://camping.honolulu.gov for updates and notifications. Mahalo for your understanding and cooperation.

#kalaeloa #boothpark #aiea #aieapark #CORP #baseballfield #heavyrain #closure

12 Apr Subscribers of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in General

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A week-long closure is scheduled for a portion of Ulehawa Beach Park from Wednesday, April 24 at 10 p.

Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 12 Apr

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m. until Wednesday, May 1 at 5 a.m., in conjunction with Councilmember Andria Tupola and other City agencies.

The closure will impact the approximately mile-long stretch of Leeward coastline from the Ulehawa Canal (near Mōīhihi St.) to Depots Beach (near Haleakalā Ave.).

The closure is necessary for City and volunteer clean-up efforts to remove the large amounts of ‘ōpala (trash) in the area. This includes a Stored Property Ordinance enforcement effort, utilizing DPR staff from across O‘ahu, Department of Facility Maintenance personnel, and officers with the Honolulu Police Department. Following this enforcement, volunteers from the community and Councilmember Tupola’s office will join DPR staff to remove any remnant ‘ōpala.

Before the park is reopened, DPR staff are scheduled to conduct additional beach cleaning and maintenance. We appreciate the patience and understanding of the Nānākuli community while this park is closed for these clean-up efforts.

Public comment and conversations from these messages are not regularly monitored. To express additional concerns or questions pertaining to this announcement, or other Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) matters, please email parks@honolulu.gov

12 Apr Subscribers of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in 12 neighborhoods in General

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Preparatory work on the Ha‘ikū Stairs removal project has officially begun, with removal of more than 600 stair modules scheduled to start later this month.

Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 11 Apr

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A blessing was held Wednesday for the workers tasked with the dangerous and challenging job of removing the Ha‘ikū Stairs.

The decision to remove the stairs came after much collaborative deliberation and discussion with the community and unanimous support from the Honolulu City Council. The removal project prioritizes public safety, seeks to stop illegal trespassing on the stairs and nearby neighbors who have dealt with decades of disruptions and disturbances, addresses significant liability for the city, preserves the natural beauty and condition of the area and improves the quality of life for neighborhood residents. Efforts were made by several City administrations to establish a hiking amenity providing legal access to the stairs, but those were not successful.

The contract requires The Nakoa Companies, Inc. to take direction from a biologist, who will evaluate each section of the stairs prior to and following removal in order to protect native species and prevent erosion. They will also be responsible for re-vegetating impacted areas with native plants where necessary, helping protect the surrounding environment while honoring the historical significance of the site.

The total contract amount allocated for the Ha‘ikū Stairs removal project, including the base amount and contingencies, is nearly $2.6 million.
The project is expected to take at least six months. The public is further advised that the Ha‘ikū Stairs area is a currently a construction zone, with access restricted to authorized personnel only.

The Ha‘ikū Stairs were built by the U.S. military during World War II and have been officially closed to the public since 1987. With work on the removal project now officially underway, the City and County of Honolulu is warning anyone who ignores posted “No Trespassing” signs that the stairway is now an active work site and should be considered extremely dangerous.

#haikustairs #stairwaytoheaven #kaneohe #oahu #hawaii #koolau #haikuvalley

11 Apr Subscribers of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in General

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Removed and made safe!

Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 11 Apr

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Our Dept. of Design and Construction counterparts worked with a contractor (Kaikor Construction Company, Inc.) to take out the remnant concrete foundation of a lifeguard tower damaged by a large south swell and beach erosion. They made quick work of the removal this morning from the area known as “Publics” located on the shoreline of Queen’s Beach in Waikīkī. This was a crucial step in ensuring the safety of our beachgoers on this popular shoreline.

The upper portion of the City’s Ocean Safety Division (OSD) Lifeguard Tower 2F was removed by our maintenance staff in August of 2020 after incurring structural damage. A temporary tower was promptly installed on the mauka side of the shoreline walkway to continue providing lifeguard services for the area. A permanent lifeguard tower will be installed in the grassed area near this location at a later date when OSD receives the replacement structure.

“As we re-evaluate our towers and their placement nearly 20 years ago on these concrete pillars, we are pleased to be able to be nimbler in the shoreline and make sure our newly installed towers are moveable. Being more flexible gives us the best chance at preserving equipment during natural disasters in order to ensure we are set up to keep the public safe in the aftermath of huge swells, tsunamis, or hurricanes,” said Captain Adam Lerner of OSD.

Over 70% of beaches in Hawai‘i and 60% of beaches on Oʻahu are eroding. It is estimated that 5.5 miles of beach on O‘ahu have already been lost. More information about the impacts of sea-level rise and beach erosion can be found in the City’s climate adaption strategy, Climate Ready Oʻahu, adopted in February 2024.

We appreciates your cooperation and patience as we complete this important and necessary work. For an interactive map of OSD lifeguard towers, beach access points, and handi-capable ocean access offered by the City and County of Honolulu visit: but.ly/OahuBeachAccess

#waikiki #publics #queensbeach #oahu #hawaii #honolulu #kapiolanipark #beacherosion #lifeguards #lifeguardtower

11 Apr Subscribers of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in 12 neighborhoods in General

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Looking for an amazing job this summer working with kids while improving your community?

Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 8 Apr

The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is gearing up for its annual Summer Fun Program, and is looking for over 500 enthusiastic and responsible adults to help put the “fun” in Summer Fun!

As part of the effort to increase Summer Fun staff and accommodate more keiki, DPR is publishing new videos encouraging prospective employees to apply for these amazing jobs with testimonials from our current staff.

The videos also highlight the wide variety of positions available, all of which offer competitive pay rates ranging from $16 to $19.14 an hour, including:
• College Student Aide
• Pool Lifeguard
• Recreation Aide
• Therapeutic Aide

Becoming a member of the Summer Fun ‘Ohana includes planning and enjoying recreational opportunities with the keiki such as games, music, dance, arts & crafts, Hawaiian cultural activities, special events, and so much more. These employment opportunities not only enhance our keiki’s summertime, they also provide the chance to develop essential job skills like: teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, childcare experience, and problem-solving all while connecting to your community.

It is now easier than ever to pursue these fun and dynamic jobs, with applications now being accepted online.

For adults currently enrolled in college, an improved and simplified online application for the Summer Student Aide positions can be accessed at: bit.ly/applysummerfun

An HNL.info log-in is required to fill out this Student Aide application.

For adults not enrolled in college, a fillable PDF application is now available by following this link: bit.ly/summerfunapplication

Once you’ve completed the non-college application, email it to the park district where you’d like to work:
District 1 East Honolulu (Ka Iwi to Waikīkī) DPREastDistrict@honolulu.gov

District 2 West Honolulu (Makiki to 'Aiea) DPRWestDistrict@honolulu.gov

District 3 Leeward O‘ahu (Waipahū to Mākaha) DPRLeeward@honolulu.gov

District 4 Windward O‘ahu (Mokulēʻia to Makapu'u) DPRWindDistrict@honolulu.gov

District 5 Central O‘ahu (Pearl City to Whitmore) dprdistrictV@honolulu.gov

With 60 Summer Fun sites planned for this year, there is sure to be a work location near you! An interactive map showing these sites is now available at: bit.ly/SummerFunMap

For details on the various aide positions available for Summer Fun 2024, and all information regarding employment with this amazing program, visit: bit.ly/summerfunjob

The 2024 Summer Fun Program is scheduled to run weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. from Monday, June 10 through Friday, July 26. Keiki registration will once again be conducted primarily online through the pros.hnl.info website beginning Monday, May 13. Additional details about this year’s program will be announced at a later time. For more information about the program, visit the main Summer Fun website at: bit.ly/summerfunoahu

8 Apr Subscribers of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in General

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With the return of the sea turtle (honu) nesting period approaching, Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i (MCBH) and the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are announcing the suspension of overnight at camping for Bellows Field Beach Park from

Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 3 Apr

Wednesday, May 1 through Thursday, August 29, 2024.

Permitted camping is scheduled to return for the popular Labor Day Weekend period, beginning Friday, August 30. However, the suspension of overnight camping may be extended should there be an active honu nesting site at the campground. Further updates will be provided as we approach that holiday weekend.

This approximately 18-week suspension applies to overnight camping and the twilight use of the bathroom and shower facilities. Weekend day-use of this popular stretch of beach in Waimānalo will continue as regularly allowed. Weekday military training exercises are also expected to continue, with protection measures for identified nesting sites, restricting use of those areas.

This suspension is necessary to ensure the safety of this federally-protected, culturally significant, endangered species in anticipation of honu nesting, incubating, and hatching along this popular shoreline. Community, military, and park officials have documented several human activities in this area that threaten the safety of the nesting turtles, such as: illegal beach off-roading, camping fires, off-leash dogs, illegal trash dumping, and the presence of artificial lighting.

Once a nesting site is confirmed, the area surrounding the nest will be cordoned off from human use. Signs will be posted at the public facilities with information about the turtle nesting sites. We encourage everyone to report any disturbing or illegal behavior against the turtles or nests by calling (808) 285-9529 or (808) 257-2123.

Since 2020, honu nesting sites have been documented along this pristine, Windward O‘ahu shoreline. Though the exact reason for this previously unprecedented arrival is not completely certain, the first recorded use of these beaches by the nesting turtles coincided with pandemic park closures, which resulted in significantly less human visitation to the beach. Mahalo to the public and the community for their patience and understanding while camping at this location is suspended.

Bellows Field Beach Park, located at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, is one of 17 campgrounds operated by DPR. Three-day overnight camping is normally allowed at one of the campground’s 50 campsites with a permit. For information about this and the other 16 campgrounds, including how to apply for a camping permit, please visit camping.honolulu.gov

Separate cabin/campsite rentals are operated by Bellows Air Force Station and are available for booking by eligible patrons such as active-duty military, veterans, and Department of Defense employees. For more information visit https://www.bellowsafs.com/cabins

3 Apr Subscribers of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation in General

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Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 2 days ago

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Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 12 Apr

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Public Information Officer Nathan Serota from Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation · 11 Apr

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