Community ‘Takes Back’ Lincoln Park with ‘Ohana Day

The struggle to preserve Lincoln Park as a family-friendly place will get a boost on Saturday, Sept. 19.

What started as two parents looking to rid their Hilo community playground of graphic images that some believe were not suitable for a children’s play area has grown in numbers and community support.

On Saturday, a free ‘Ohana Day will be hosted by Pepe Romero, owner of CJ’s Promotions, with support from Juz-Us M/C Productions and various agencies and community organizations. The event will feature family entertainment, including hula performances and games for the kids.

“I wanted to do this event since the park was made primarily for keiki and Ohana. Keiki is primary, so we decided to start off with the Waiakea Intermediate Ukulele Band, so you have 23 kids starting with jamming their ukuleles,” Romero said. “Then we have really good entertainment, featuring Braddah Waltah Ipolani with Larry Dupio, Christy Lassiter Trio, Jeri Gertz, Center Stage, and ‘Ol School Band will finish it off.”

Romero says that Kumu Hula Iwalani Kalima organized keiki hula performances in between the entertainment acts.

In addition to the entertainment, free food will be provided to attendees, including hot dogs, chili and rice, and shave ice.

Games and activities, as well as an opportunity for children to get their Keiki ID’s., will keep everyone busy during the event, which will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“I’ve done a lot of promotions throughout the years, so when I saw the ladies out there, the Take Back Lincoln Park ladies, I felt badly, because those poor ladies are out there walking with their signs,” Romero said. “All of this is about aloha. Since I have the connections for doing this I decided to jump on board.”

“Pepe saw what we were doing and had been feeling similarly to us for a long time,” said Heather Kimball, one the movement’s organizers.  “Something needed to be done, and when our group started up and he saw us down there, he came to us and said, ‘I’d like to put on this event’ and he has organized everything and has been really wonderful putting this all together for the park. We’re super excited to have the event this weekend.”