Upgrades Funded For West Oahu Parks And Roads
Councilwoman Kymberly Pine
Summer is a highlight of our year as we set aside time with ohana and friends to enjoy keiki sports, birthday luau or simply a relaxing Sunday afternoon. We spend much of our time traveling on our city roads to enjoy our beautiful Oahu parks and beaches.
As your City Councilwoman, one of my goals is to improve commuting to and from facilities at these important community venues. I am happy to report significant improvements planned for our Leeward community.
Comfort station at Maili
Puu O Hulu (Maili Kai) Community Park hosts more than 20 sports teams and hundreds of keiki each week, and it’s in desperate need of a comfort station. The nearest public restroom is more than a mile away at Nani Kai Beach Park. With the community’s support, I am pleased to report that I secured funding for the construction of a much-needed comfort station at this park.
Funding to improve Makaha Beach Park
Up the coast, residents for years have requested important safety improvements at Makaha Beach Park. The world-famous beach is a local destination for surfing, picnics and recreation.
The park, however, also requires improvements to maintain its beauty, increase accessibility and expand its facilities. I met with many longtime Makaha residents and fought hard to secure funding to implement the Makaha Beach Park Master Plan, which includes funding for planning, design and construction of these community-driven improvements.
Upgrades for recreation facilities
Additionally, the city is focused on revitalizing our district and community parks. The Waianae District, Kapolei Regional and Makakilo Community parks all are slated for significant upgrades.
Transportation improvements in the works
I also am working to improve our commutes. There currently are several transportation projects under construction and in the planning and design phases, including Kapolei Parkway (under construction) and the Makakilo Drive Extension (funds recently released for design).
Upon completion, these will ease commutes through our communities. As a member of the Transportation Committee, I will continue to work with Transportation Services and Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization to ensure these remain at the forefront of transportation policy decisions.
Nonprofits secure funds, too
Improving the quality of life for Leeward residents would not be possible without the commitment of our nonprofit service providers, which is why I am proud that Community Development Block Grants and Grants in Aid were awarded for projects aimed at improving the quality of life in our district.
Organizations serving our district’s communities will receive more than $11 million in federal and city grants to address housing and community development needs. Additionally, I fought to secure funding for the Leeward Coast Benefits Program, which will provide competitive grants to community organizations.
Through these grants and our collective commitment to improving our parks and transportation, we are building a vibrant community where our keiki can thrive.
Investing in District 1 – by the numbers:
* Leeward Coast Benefits Package – $1.5 million for Waianae, Nanakuli-Maili and Kapolei-Makakilo neighborhood boards
* Makaha Beach Park Master Plan – $2 million to plan, design, construct, inspect and provide equipment for implementation of the plan
* Makaha Beach Park Consolidation – $91,000 to plan and design park improvements necessary for consolidation of park parcels, including any needed road relocation
* Puu O Hulu (Maili Kai) Community Park Master Plan – $500,000 to plan, design, construct and inspect master plan park improvements including a comfort station, parking lot and landscaping
* Waianae District Park – $400,000 to design roof improvements for the gym and arts and crafts room and renovate facilities
* Kapolei Regional Park – $300,000 to construct facility improvements
* Makakilo Community Park – $900,000 to design and construct erosion-prevention slope improvements
* Farrington Highway – $2.74 million to plan, design and start construction on function and safety improvements
* Makakilo Drive Extension – $3 million released to design extension of roadway
District 1 Community Development Block Grant projects awarded:
* Ohana Ola O Kahumana – Plumbing repairs at a transitional housing facility for homeless families. Located in Waianae; received $199,500
* Ohana Ola O Kahumana – Septic system upgrades, $369,600
* Goodwill Ohana Career and Learning Center Energy Conservation Project – Installation of a photovoltaic roof system on the Ohana Career and Learning Center. Kapolei, $825,000
* The Hale Kipa Service Center, Residential Shelters and Educational Facility Complex – Construction of three shelters and an educational complex for low- and moderate-income youths. Ewa Beach, $1,150,000
* Waianae District Comprehensive Health and Hospital Board Inc. – Expansion of the Malama Recovery Building to provide more counseling rooms. Waianae, $991,620.
City Councilwoman Kymberly Marcos Pine serves District 1. Reach her at 768-5001 or kmpine@honolulu.gov or visit councilmemberpine.com.
