Based on the Neighborhood Watch Program, the park watch provides a way for people to observe and report destructive and suspicious activities in Maui's parks.

"Our goal is to help preserve our parks by reducing crime and vandalism, and thereby increasing community pride," Maui Park Watch founder Lis Richardson told The Maui News.

People can contact police to report illegal activity at 244-6400, or call 911 in an emergency. Online report forms are available on the Park Watch Web site at www.MauiParkWatch.com. The citizen reports will be forwarded to the appropriate authorities.

Richardson and her husband, Bob, have been active in protecting and maintaining Maui parks for several years.

But now they are taking it an extra step to encourage more Maui residents to be active participants when they see problems at the parks. Reports also could point out needed maintenance or other issues that should be called to the attention of park officials.

Similar programs on the Mainland have saved thousands of dollars annually in repairs and maintenance by curbing damage in parks, Richardson said. She added that it would not be unrealistic to see a 30 percent to 40 percent decrease in vandalism.

That comes as welcome news to county Parks Director Tamara Horcajo.

"The development and initiation of this program is very timely as the number of users in the parks have increased dramatically along with vandalism and illegal activity," Horcajo said.

The Maui Park Watch program was recently launched at South Maui parks. Signs with information about the program, along with phone numbers to call, have been installed at Kalama Park and should soon be up at all South Maui county beach parks.

"The community has always had the opportunity to call in concerns," said Mary Kielty, South Maui District recreation supervisor. "Now with the actual printed signage, perhaps our community will become more involved and capitalize on this program. . . . To have more eyes and ears in our parks looking out for their well-being is excellent."

"Hopefully, this will deter illegal activities and vandalism throughout our parks, which unfortunately is a common occurrence," she added.

"Once it gets going in South Maui, it's going to spread out and probably be popular at all the parks," said Kihei Community Policing Officer Brad Hickle. "I think this is a program that is going to work."

Richardson said the program has already solved a problem in Haiku. There, at the 4th Marine Division Memorial Park, someone noticed potentially dangerous, old playground equipment, which was later removed by the county parks department.

"The system worked – due to the writer's comments, a problem has been uncovered and response was quick for remedial action," she said.

While the program is beginning in South Maui, people can make reports about other parks on the island, she said.

Maui Park Watch organizers also plan to promote the program in communities, and work is ongoing on a long-term campaign to teach children not to litter and to take care of parks. That effort includes printing brochures, buying buttons for children to promote the program and ordering an owl mascot costume for educational programs.

The program is funded by donations and organizers' personal funds. Grants also are being sought.

The program has also been assisted by the Maui Police Department and the Kalama Park Action Team. The Kalama group was organized a few years ago to patrol Kalama Park to observe any problems or illegal activity.