Bill to sell naming rights for city parks deferred

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

A proposal for the city to raise money by selling corporate sponsors the naming rights to municipal parks and facilities has stalled.

Chang

Lester Chang, Parks and Recreation director, yesterday said the administration doesn't support the bill because of the widespread belief that many park names are "sacred."

Chang said he appreciates the attempt at raising revenue but "we just feel this is not the best way to do this."

Djou agreed that many parks have historic names that should not be tampered with to raise money.

Councilman Gary Okino pulled out a popular children's restaurant to make his point. "I wouldn't want Kapi'olani Park to be called Chuck E. Cheese Park," he said.

Council chairman Donovan Dela Cruz introduced the bill as a way to help ease Honolulu through a budget crunch. He noted that other cities have earned significant revenues through naming arrangements, often with arenas that host sporting events.

Councilman Todd Apo supported postponing action on the bill because of the sensitivity about parks.

Also yesterday, Chang answered questions from council members on concerns about the long-term costs of maintaining city-owned fountains, ponds and other water features.

Chang said the Hannemann administration is not planning any new water features and is focusing on taking care of the ones it already has.

He asked for more time to determine the cost of operating and maintaining the 19 fountains and one pond under his jurisdiction. He estimated that repairs run an average of $400 each month.

Chang said nine of the 20 water features were built in the past decade — the pond at the Kapi'olani Park bandstand and eight water features along Kuhio Beach.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at 535-2429 or rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.