There's overwhelming support from community groups to create a permanent home at Central O'ahu Regional Park for the Honolulu Police Department's Mounted Unit.

However, uncertainty surrounds the future of the eight horses and four officers assigned to the Mounted Unit despite backing from numerous neighborhood boards and other entities to relocate the unit from the private New Town & Country Stables in Waimanalo to a 10-acre mauka site at the city's 269 1/2-acre park in Waiola.

Groups that support the move include neighborhood boards representing Waipahu, Pearl City, and Mililani/Waipi'o /Melemanu; the Gentry-Waipi'o and Waikele community associations; city park officials; and the Central O'ahu Regional Park Advisory Committee.

Police Department spokesman Capt. Frank Fujii said the administration is still evaluating options, which range from relocating the unit to disbanding it, and have not made any decisions.

Neighborhood boards in the area adopted resolutions citing the Mounted Unit's presence as a deterrent to crime, its public relations value, and cost saving to the city as main reasons for supporting its relocation to Central O'ahu Regional Park.

"We had a big softball tournament at the park recently, and the Mounted Unit provided additional security that was well-received," said Marty Burke, co-chair of the Central O'ahu Regional Park Advisory Board. "It's very effective. Because of visibility, a mounted (officer) is worth 10 foot officers.

"I've seen it and believe it's a friendly way of patrolling," added Burke. "I haven't heard a single word in opposition to it."

City Parks and Recreation Director Les Chang said he supports the concept but added that any decision regarding the unit is up to HPD.

Capt. Clayton Kau of HPD's Community Affairs Section, which includes the Mounted Unit, said the average cost of keeping the unit at New Town & Country Stables is $50,000 a year.

The Mounted Unit now is composed of Sgt. Debbie Wilson and officers Sharon Walden, Michael McKinney and John Oliver. Their work shifts of eight hours a day, five days a week, include maintenance of the horses, Kau said. The unit's work schedule involves making public appearances at schools; patrolling two or three times a week at Ala Moana Beach Park, Sherwood Forest in Waimanalo and Chinatown; and assisting in searches or crowd control when needed.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.