HAWAI'I KAI — Plans for Hawai'i Kai Dog Park moved forward yesterday as officials broke ground on the the 1-acre site, makai of the Hawai'i Kai Park and Ride facility on Keahole Street.

"What's really important is to have a safe place to exercise and socialize our dogs. A well-exercised dog is a happier dog and less apt to bark," said Carol Suyderhoud, a member of Hui 'Ilio Hawai'i, a group of dog owners who have been working for more than two years to get a dog park in the community.

In a private-public partnership with the nonprofit group, the city will now begin work on installing a sprinkler system. Hui 'Ilio will pay for fencing with donations from the community. The partnership intends to open the dog park by mid-Spring.

For years dog owners have been going to community parks at sunset in search of a place to let their dogs run free and socialize. Hui 'Ilio founders were spurred on by that search to pursue plans for a dog park in the Hawai'i Kai community.

There are now four dog parks on O'ahu: Moanalua, Diamond Head, Mililani and at the Hawaiian Humane Society.

"This is great," said Linda Haller, Hawaiian Humane Society director of shelter operations. "The dogs are exercised and the owners get some exercise. Dogs need to be socialized."

About 50 people, some with their pooches, came to the ground-breaking ceremony, during which Mayor Mufi Hannemann picked up a shovel with a plush toy dog tied to it. Hannemann said that the partnership at Hawai'i Kai would become a model for other communities.

"This is something the community has wanted for a long time," Hannemann said. "I appreciate your spirit of cooperation by getting private sponsors for the park."

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.