'Bark park' may open Feb. 1
By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
The long-awaited Moanalua dog park could open in just 10 days if final details are worked out, giving O'ahu its first city park where canines can play freely without being on a leash.
The so-called "bark park," which was approved by the City Council in August 2001, is located in Moanalua Community Park off Pu'uloa Road. The $100,000 facility has been ready to operate for several months, but has remained closed while the city develops new off-leash dog park rules.
"It's been ready to go for like a year now," said Moanalua Gardens Community Association member Betty Kamida. "We are disappointed it has taken so long, but the city says this is the first one so it will set a precedent for all dog parks that follow and it has to be correct."
Seven other city dog parks are in the planning stages, including parks in Mililani and Kailua. Two off-leash parks are already open on O'ahu, but those are privately owned and operated.
The city Department of Parks and Recreation developed administrative rules for off-leash parks partly based on those two parks, one at the Hawaiian Humane Society, the other on Diamond Head Road.
Those rules include provisions that dog handlers clean up after their own dogs; that dogs wear a collar and have a valid dog license; that dogs be disease- and parasite-free; that no dogs in heat are allowed; and that people use the park at their own risk.
Problems arose when the city held a public hearing for the new rules last month and included a series of new restrictions for existing public parks that allow leashed dogs. Those rules included stipulations that certain parks be off limits to all dog events, that all dog walkers be at least 18 years old and that all dog shows must purchase a $1 million insurance liability bond.
Pam Burns, president of the Hawaiian Humane Society, and other residents testified that the off-leash rules were acceptable, but that the on-leash rule changes were a major problem for them.
At a subsequent City Council Parks Committee hearing, Parks Director Bill Balfour said he disagreed with the on-leash rules and would either do away with them or pass them as written and have them changed later as a way to get the Moanalua dog park open quickly.
Balfour said at the meeting he plans to open the dog park Feb. 1.
City spokeswoman Carol Costa said yesterday that the administration will make a decision on how to handle the rule changes soon and the park will open as soon as possible.
Burns said the humane society continues to oppose the new on-leash rules, but will not object to their adoption if the purpose is to open the dog park quickly and that the rules are to be changed.
"It will be very exciting to have the first public off-leash dog park," Burns said. "I hope it is the first step of many. I'm really anxious to see the implementation plan for the rest of the off-leash dog parks in Honolulu."
At the Moanalua dog park, signs have been posted with the rules but are covered with plastic bags. The water system has yet to be turned on, but the park could be ready to open quickly.
Kamida, who owns two dogs, said the community association has already adopted the park and volunteers are waiting to supervise the facility once it opens. A grand opening will be held after the park officially opens.
"People have been calling for a long time from all different communities trying to get an update," Kamida said. "The Diamond Head park is great, but people don't want to drive all that way. I know this one is going to be heavily used."
Reach James Gonser at jgonser@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2431.
