Auwe! The newly renovated playground at Wahiawā District Park was set ablaze on Thursday, May 1, 2025 around 11 p.m. HPD is asking for the public’s help with the unidentified suspect in this arson case, as the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact 911 or CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300.
“I am angry, deeply disappointed and quite frankly disgusted by the senseless act of vandalism and arson that destroyed the newly renovated playground at Wahiawā District Park,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “This was an investment in our community — especially for our keiki — and to see it deliberately torched just days after it was completed is nothing short of heartbreaking. What happened here is not just criminal; it’s personal. It’s a violation of trust and an attack on the spirit of our community. We will not tolerate this kind of behavior. I have directed our teams to work closely with Honolulu Police and Fire investigators to bring those responsible to justice. And make no mistake — we will rebuild this playground. To the residents of Wahiawā: you deserve better. And you have my full commitment to making things right. We will restore this space — stronger and more resilient than before — because our keiki deserve nothing less.”
“I’m saddened and disappointed by the alleged arson and vandalism that destroyed the playground at Wahiawā District Park overnight,” said Councilmember Matt Weyer. “This playground was newly renovated with padding recently installed by the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). This senseless act not only destroyed a community space, but an investment for our keiki. I want to commend the HPD and HFD for their swift response and continued efforts to investigate this case. I urge anyone who may have information about this incident to please come forward. The safety and well-being of our community depends on the support of all residents. I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that this playground is rebuilt. We will continue to make Wahiawā a safe and welcoming place for all.”
Mahalo to Mayor, the Honolulu Police Department, Fire Department, and Councilmember Weyer for their assistance with addressing this pointless act of destruction.
As Mayor mentioned, DPR plans on repairing this damage as we had just renovated this playground in mid-March 2025. In particular, the playground received all new resilient surfacing (the bouncy flooring) at a cost of nearly $121,000. This was also the first playground which had playful graphics installed into the flooring. The playground itself was originally installed in November 2015.
