Blessing held for completion of Kekaha Gardens’ Kaleimanu Park

A blessing was held last Friday to mark the completion of Kekaha Gardens’ Kaleimanu Park. The four-acre facility is located near the end of Ulili Road.

When the improvement project began a little more than a year ago, the county’s westernmost park consisted of a pavilion, fencing and an open field. Now Kekaha Gardens’ Kaleimanu Park is completely landscaped with a basketball/volleyball court, baseball field with accessible dugouts, playground, comfort station, picnic area with benches and tables, and a paved parking lot.

“It’s so exciting to see how this park has been transformed into a facility that the community can really enjoy, from keiki to kupuna,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. “It’s a long awaited project that has finally come to fruition.”

Lu Koerte, who lives across from the newly improved park, noted that she intends to keep a watchful eye on the community asset.

“This a beautiful park, especially for our keiki, and I’d like it to stay that way for a long time,” said Koerte.

Kaulana Finn, Kaua‘i liaison for U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, shared some of Gabbard’s thoughts about the park improvements.

“This project has been a collaborative effort in both planning and funding, and is a true sign of the success we can accomplish when we work together and welcome input from our community,” said Finn.

The design consultant for the project was SEY Engineers, who incorporated some of the community’s ideas into the design. The general contractor Tomco Corporation took the ideas and made them a reality.

The subcontractors included: Ali‘i Landscaping; American Electric; Grace Pacific; Hideo Tanaka Plumbing; James Nakagawa Painting; O‘ahu Roofing and Pacific Recreation.

Funding for the $1.46 million project was provided by the County of Kaua‘i.

Kekaha Gardens’ Kaleimanu Park is one of 38 projects that are part of Mayor Carvalho’s Holo Holo 2020 vision for Kaua’i.

His vision calls for all organizations, businesses, residents and visitors on Kaua’i to be part of creating an island that is sustainable, values the native culture, has a thriving and healthy economy, cares for all – keiki to kupuna – and has a responsible and user-friendly local government.

To see the complete list of Holo Holo 2020 projects, please go to the county website, www.kauai.gov.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. unties the maile lei marking the completion of the Kekaha Gardens’ Kaleimanu Park. From L to R: Brian Van Gorp; Brian Low, Mayor Carvalho; Councilmember Ross Kagawa; Harold Tomimitsu; Kaulana Finn; and Lenny Rapozo.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. throws the “first pitch” at the newly completed Kekaha Gardens’ Kaleimanu Park. On the field with the Mayor are Makaio and Marques Hickson and Loea Pantohan.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. and the “aunties” who plan to keep an eye on the newly improved Kekaha Gardens’ Kaleimanu Park pause for a few minutes to enjoy the picnic area. From L to R: Julie Patricio; Mercy Lazaro; Mayor Carvalho; and Lu Koerte.

The Westside crew for the Department of Parks and Recreation take time out to pose for a photo before returning to their park caretaker duties. From L to R: Charlie Kaliloa; Mercy Lazaro; Teddy Perreira; Michael Lazaro; and Gilbert Serraon.

The newly improved Kekaha Gardens’ Kaleimanu Park is furnished with some of the latest playground equipment.