Renovation and Expansion of Edith Kanakaole Stadium Finished

Hawaii County has completed a $3.4 million renovation and expansion of the Edith Kanakaole Multi-Purpose Stadium.

The three-month project, which included the addition of a 4,200-square-foot building, was done just ahead of the 50^th anniversary celebration of the Merrie Monarch Festival beginning March 31.

The stadium has long been the home of the festival which is considered the premiere event for hula worldwide. It also hosts tennis competitions — for which it was originally constructed and named — as well as trade shows, school graduations, concerts and other events.

The project included a new building holding dressing rooms and restrooms. Hawaii County photo.

The building addition contains restrooms and six dressing rooms, which also can be used for meetings.

A ceremony was held today to bless the facility and recognize the contractors, county employees and volunteers who made the project possible.

The work included a new color scheme, native landscaping, fencing and covered side entrances on the outside.

Other renovations to the facility included an expanded lobby and concession area, an upgraded electrical system to support enhanced lighting and sound systems, new bleacher seats and new signs and guardrails.

“Without all your hard work, we wouldn’t be here at this time,” Mayor Kenoi told attendees at today’s ceremony. “Beyond Merrie Monarch, this is for the entire community to enjoy year-round.”

Isemoto Contracting Co. Ltd. was the lead contractor for the project which also had 15 subcontractors.

The dressing rooms in the new building offer expanded room and comfort for hula halau and others using the facility. Hawaii County photo.

County workers spent more than 1,000 hours making improvements to the stadium and its grounds, officials said.

Kenoi also paid gratitude to the volunteers who provided painting, landscaping and other services.

County officials said they included the Jehovah’s Witnesses – Hawai’i Circuit 5 members, Hilo Jaycees, 1st Battalion 12th Marines, Hawai’i Community Correctional Center inmates, East Hawai’i District Tennis Association, Hawai’i Carpenters Union, Local 745, Hilo High School tennis teams, and tennis players from Hilo-area schools.

The project is part of a $4 million renovation of the Ho`olulu Complex which includes work on the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium, Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lu`au Hale and various support buildings.