Kids wait, and wait, for skate park in Ocean View that has been mired in government red tape

For nearly nine years, Laura Roberts and Travis Aucoin have been fundraising, planning and working together to build a skatepark for their community in Ocean View on the Big Island.

Two years ago, they had raised enough money to pay the Hawaiʻi County Planning Department for a necessary environmental assessment of the proposed site of the skatepark on a portion of Kahuku Park, 92-8607 Paradise Circle.

The environmental assessment officially began in December 2023 and was due in spring 2024. But it has not been completed, and Roberts and Aucoin say they have not been able to get an answer why or when it will be done.

“For the last year or so, we have been searching and applying for grants for the cost of future construction; however, we have been denied every time, most likely due to the incomplete environmental assessment,” Roberts said. “Since we don’t have answers, we are now in the process of building our own DIY (do-it-yourself) skatepark that will be smaller, but it will be something.”

According to Roberts, she and Aucoin have been working closely with the County of Hawaiʻi Parks and Recreation on the smaller, do-it-yourself skatepark that has been approved by the Parks and Recreation. They are currently working together on an approved design before moving forward.

Roberts is considering the project a DIY skatepark since it will be fully built by volunteers once the design in approved by Parks and Recreation.

“We are happy to be partnering with dedicated community members in Ocean View as we work together to create more recreational opportunities in this area,” said Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma. “Given that currently there is no construction funding in place to build the larger project that is ultimately envisioned, we are working with the community to build this smaller skatepark project through our Friends of the Park Program.”

The smaller skatepark will occupy about 58 feet by 28 feet of Kahuku Park. The county will be providing funding for the purchase of concrete and other materials in support of this Friends of the Park project. 

“Our big skatepark plans are waiting on funding and the environmental assessment to be completed,” Roberts said. “This smaller space will provide a space for our community to use now, and will serve as a keiki skate space when the larger park is built.”

The County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department did not immediately respond to questions about why the environmental assessment, which began during Mayor Mitch Roth’s administration, was not completed.

The Ocean View Skatepark Association had a solid group organized in 2023; but community involvement has dwindled since the project hit a roadblock, according to Roberts.

“It has gotten harder and harder since it has been such a long time,” Roberts said. “People lose hope, and I have been there myself, too. But, I do believe that if we are able to offer the community a place to recreate, there will be more excitement around future projects.”

Roberts said youth make up more than 50% of the population of Ocean View.

“Being so isolated is a huge reason why this skatepark is so important because we don’t have many safe places for youth to hang out,” Roberts said. “There is a big portion of the population living under the poverty line, too, so this would give many people a place for free recreation.”

Along with the do-it-yourself skatepark, Roberts and Aucoin have also cleared a portion of Kahuku Park to create a disc golf course, which has also been approved by Parks and Recreation.

“We wanted to do something that is accommodating, simple to install, and a reasonable price,” Roberts said. “It is a no-contact sport that can be played by all ages. You can play alone, or you can play in a group of 10. I think it will be a great addition to the park and will foster more play around the park.”

Roberts will be ordering the baskets and throwing discs soon, and the disc golf course should be open to the public early next year.

“We have some other long-term plans for the park,” she said. “We want to implement a walking path, develop a community garden, and build a stage area for events. However, it always comes down to fundraising and finding help for these projects.”

To volunteer or donate to future Ocean View Skatepark and other projects in Kahuku Park, email oceanviewskatepark@gmail.com.