Mililani dogs need place where they can bark

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Central O'ahu Writer

MILILANI — It appears that Kamaio Neighborhood Park will not be going to the dogs after all.

Residents at a community meeting last month said they didn't like the idea of a proposed "bark park" for dogs at the Kamaio Street park across from the Mililani Marketplace shopping center.

The city has appropriated $180,000 for an off-leash community dog park, shade trees, irrigation system and miscellaneous park improvements as requested by the Mililani Vision team.

City Councilwoman Rene Mansho said while the majority of the group supported the need for a bark park in Mililani, it was agreed that the Kamaio park was not the appropriate site.

"It became a divided issue," Mansho said. "Supporters of bark parks said there is really no excessive smell or noise because most dog owners who use the facilities are usually responsible and keep it clean.

"They felt it would be like the bark park near Diamond Head where you could fence off a portion of it so noise and the dogs running off wouldn't be a problem."

But many at the meeting said a new dog park should not displace current park users, which include the Central O'ahu Youth Baseball League, as well as other family activities.

While the city looks for alternate sites in Mililani for a bark park, Mansho said the city wants to go ahead with other improvements at Kamaio Park such as a restroom and landscaping before the money lapses.

Another meeting to update residents on Kamaio Park improvements and where to relocate the proposed bark park is tentatively scheduled for later this month.

Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.