Board of Water Supply Base in Hawaii Kai Raises Community Concern
The city of Honolulu wants to establish a Board of Water Supply base yard in east Oahu, and oe of the sites under consideration is within Koko Head District Park. The proposed site is less than 1,000 feet from homes on Kekupua Street and would occupy roughly two of 19 acres once used by Job Corps, a youth job training facility.
City officials want a base yard in East Honolulu so they can respond more quickly to water main breaks there. The nearest base yard with heavy equipment is in Kalihi.
According to the Honolulu Advertiser, "Some East Honolulu residents — who agree that a base yard is needed in their community — say they believe the Board of Water Supply is trying to push the park site despite concerns expressed several years ago about the site's proximity to homes, the lost opportunity to expand recreational activities and a prohibition on nonrecreational use of the property."
The Board first proposed this location in 2007, and was met with community opposition at that time. All of Koko Head District Park, as well as adjacent land that was part of a regional park complex, was given to the city by Kamehameha Schools in 1928 for $1. The Kamehameha Schools gift included a deed covenant restricting use of the land to recreational purposes, though that restriction has been relaxed on occasion with approval from the trust.
The Advertiser continued, "One issue opponents of the park site believe the city can't mitigate is the loss of land for recreational use.
"Much of the land remains undeveloped within the 40-acre park, which has baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, a gym and facilities for arts and crafts programs. The park also is the starting point for a popular hike to the top of Koko Crater.
"The city updated the park's master plan in 2001, and recommended transforming the former Job Corps area into a complex, similar to Ala Moana Park's McCoy Pavilion, for performing arts, educational programs and other recreational uses.
"Proposed uses of the area in previous park master plans have included a disc-golf course and a network of pedestrian/bike paths. The park has been considered as a site for a public pool.
"The poor economy makes park expansion unlikely for now, but many residents say they want the park's undeveloped land preserved for future recreational uses when funding becomes available."
The Board plans to make a presentation to the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board at its April 27 meeting. If you have an opinion, be sure to contact your Neighborhood Board representative.
Barbara Abe, Realtor
808-226-2537
barbara@barbarashawaii.com
www.movetohawaiikai.com
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