Keolu Skatepark under fire
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer
KAILUA — Following complaints from neighbors about noise and litter, a skateboard organization is encouraging its members to help maintain the new Keolu Skatepark and to abide by its rules.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
The Association of Skateboarders in Hawai'i sent letters to its 250 members last week, alerting them to neighbors' complaints about noise after park hours, vandalism and litter at the new park.
Graffiti mars a Keolu Skatepark sign. Neighbors have complained of noise from people using the facility after hours.
"Keep in mind that the neighbors making the complaints are the same ones who supported us when we were trying to get the park built," wrote ASH officials. "We owe them our respect and appreciation."
One neighbor, who said she didn't want to give her name because she regrets having supported the project, said the park has created annoyances for herself and her neighbors. And it's not just the screeching, she said. Kids trespass on her property to get to the park, ignore her when she tells them to stop, and deliberately annoy the neighbors' dogs to make them bark, she said.
"I was stupid," she said. "I didn't have any foresight to think the kids are not going to follow the rules. I didn't think about all these other problems. I was thinking as a good citizen, 'Yeah, the kids need some place to keep them out of trouble.' "
Now she wonders whether she'll be able to sell her home.
Even before the Keolu Skatepark opened in February, complaints began to trickle in to the Kailua Neighborhood Board and police about users staying late at night, forcing the contractor to hire a security guard. Now the park is open until 7 p.m. but some users are still staying later.
Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser
Duane Samson, the neighborhood board's parks committee chairman, said he received a letter from a neighbor whose wife has a long-term illness and couldn't rest because of the noise all day and at night. Samson, a police officer, said about 10 complaints have been lodged concerning such issues as trash, graffiti and parking. Noise, he said, seems to be the main concern and he is taking steps to address that.
The Association of Skateboarders in Hawai'i has asked its members to follow park rules and respect neighbors.
He suggested locking the facility at night and forming a citizens' patrol to inform users that the park is closed. If they don't leave, the patrol would call the police. A similar patrol was successful at curbing loud noise this year at the Kailua Beach Park boat ramp.
Samson said that although the complaints are few, they are serious to people who deal with the noise on a regular basis.
"If you don't live there, you don't care," he said. "Everybody is saying they shouldn't be grumbling. It's a place for the kids, but try to live there at 10 o'clock at night and hear the (popping sound of skateboards)."
ASH and its members say they're talking to users, picking up trash and informing late stayers about the closing time.
"It took us five years to get it," said park user Richard Whaley, 15. "We don't want to close it down because of problems."
Whaley, who skates at the park five times a week, said most people leave once it gets dark. The park has no lights, but people do stay late, Whaley said. After receiving the letter, he said, he'll step up the vigilance and enlist his friends.
"We'll do more," Whaley said. "I've heard that the park might get closed down because of some of the complaints and nobody wants that to happen."
Carol Costa, city spokeswoman, said the city Parks Department and the managing director want to discuss things further before considering any action.
Tony Kanzic, ASH director, said he met with city park officials and police last Friday at the park and the letter was sent Tuesday. Kanzic said the park has gotten kids off the street and is well used, but a few people are abusing the situation. "In my letter, I ask the kids if you see vandalism or anything going on don't approach the people, just call us or the police or the park."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
