Hawai‘i County breaks ground on restoration of Waikōloa park

Mayor Mitch Roth, Department of Parks & Recreation leadership, and community members joined representatives of Waikōloa Heights Land Investors, developers of a new residential subdivision in Waikōloa, Thursday for a ceremony announcing a public-private partnership to invest approximately $1 million in the restoration and expansion of recreational amenities at Kamakoa Nui Park.

Kamakoa Nui Park, (8.5 developed acres on a 16.752 acre parcel) at the corner of Kamakoa Drive and Paniolo Avenue at the northernmost edge of Waikōloa Village, includes a skate park, baseball field, multi-purpose sports field, and a comfort station.

Components of the park’s water supply and irrigation system failed at some point in the past leading to the demise of the grassed areas in the park and rendering the sports fields unusable.

“We continue to strive to be an administration that focuses on building partnerships to ensure that all our communities are able to thrive,” said Roth. “We cannot make all of these improvements by ourselves, which is why we are so honored when folks are able to see our vision and commitment and match it with funding to get these projects done.”

The developers, whose new “Nānā Kai” subdivision’s initial phase is currently under construction directly across from the park, reached an agreement with the County of Hawai‘i to invest approximately $1 million in private funding to enhance and expand the park. Initially, restoring the grass and irrigation systems at the park’s sports fields and lawn area are the priority, and initial efforts by the developer have encouragingly begun to show signs of improvements. Additional improvements, which may include development of a new dog park and enhancement of landscaping and other features throughout the site, are under ongoing coordination with the Department of Parks & Recreation.

“This is another great example of how public-private partnerships can significantly benefit the County of Hawai‘i park system and the communities that rely on our facilities for recreational opportunities,” said Maurice Messina, Director of the Department of Parks & Recreation. “We look forward to working with our partners to restore and enhance Kamakoa Nui Park for the benefit of the growing Waikōloa Village community.”

The restoration and enhancement of Kamakoa Nui Park is intended to benefit future residents of Keʻolalani, an affordable housing development project of the County’s Office of Housing and Community Development. The initial phase of Keʻolalani will be constructed on land that is directly across from the park, south of Kamakoa Drive.