Posted on: Friday, September 6, 2002

Skatepark to open in Hawai'i Kai

By Suzanne Roig
Advertiser East Honolulu Writer

HAWAI'I KAI — Tomorrow, the red construction fencing will be removed and skateboarders will be able to skate freely — and legally — in the city's newest skateboard park, part of a $1 million facility at the corner of Hawai'i Kai Drive and Lunalilo Home Road.

The city has yet to open the roller hockey facility that was completed a few months ago, but both will have official dedication ceremonies Sept. 14, said Carol Costa, city spokeswoman. The opening is timed with the beginning of the in-line hockey season, Costa said.

"My kids have been down there night and day," said resident Terri Christine, who has two sons who skateboard and have been active in helping to both lobby for and design the Hawai'i Kai skate facility. "My sons, Forrest and Shaun, have learned a valuable civics lesson with this park. They persisted and got something for all the skateboarders in the community, not just for themselves."

Construction of the skateboard and in-line skate facility came about because of youngsters lobbying the city's vision team in 2000 and grabbing the attention of Mayor Jeremy Harris, who promised the skaters they would get a proper facility in the community.

For years Hawai'i Kai skateboarders have been chased out of parking lots, open stairways, schools and the park-and-ride facility on Keahole Street.

Now they have a place with bowls and rims and risers, built at the lower section of the Kamilo'iki Elementary School grounds.

The facility is one of five skateparks the city has built recently. Another is under construction at Kane'ohe District Park and five more are in the planning-and-design stage, including a second facility at Koko Head District Park.

The city plans to build an additional eight skatepark.