Playspace Under Development at Ulu Wini

A new playspace at the Na Kahua Hale O Ulu Wini housing complex broke ground as residents and HOPE Services Hawai’i personnel joined together in Kailua-Kona on Feb. 25.

Through a donation from the Roberts Foundation, Ulu Wini will have an $180,000 state-of-the-art Miracle Mega Tower built on-site.

“The residents and keiki of Ulu Wini are so excited and grateful to have a beautiful and safe outdoor play structure in their backyard,” said Brandee Menino, Chief Operating Officer of HOPE Services. “We have so much aloha for the Roberts Foundation.”

Four play structures will be featured on the 62’ by 52’ Mega Tower. A heptagon double decker tower and water fountain, spiral and wave slides, a fish bridge, play panels, and climbing apparatuses with stairs, risers, ladders, and a fossil bluff climbing wall are all included in the plans. Recycled steel roofing and commercial grade fabric umbrellas will cover the play structures.

Due to the playspace’s multiple levels, the plans include aspects that encourage social inclusion and sensory play.

The construction of the playground will be completed by NyLawn with volunteers from Lake Mead Christian Academy and residents from Ulu Wini. The project is expected to be complete by the end of the month.

Ulu Wini was built in 2013 by the County of Hawai’i’s Office of Housing & Community Development and is operated by HOPE Services. Included in the complex are 96 two-bedroom units, including 23 transitional housing for homeless families, 72 affordable housing units for low-income families, and a unit for the resident manager.

Children and residents of The Homes at Ulu Wini gather around Kahu Brian Broshard, who led the playground blessing and groundbreaking ceremony. HOPE Services Hawai’i photo.

Children and residents of The Homes at Ulu Wini gather around Kahu Brian Broshard, who led the playground blessing and groundbreaking ceremony. HOPE Services Hawai’i photo.

Children and residents of The Homes at Ulu Wini. HOPE Services Hawai’i photo.

Children and residents of The Homes at Ulu Wini. HOPE Services Hawai’i photo.