Department of Parks and Recreation > E Alu Pū Kākou! > Community Construction Projects
Community Construction Projects
Volunteer to improve park facilities
The Department of Parks and Recreation welcomes proposals for community construction projects on City and County of Honolulu park lands. Parks are public lands, loved and used by many people. DPR recognizes our duty to ensure all park improvements – even ones made by volunteers – follow all regulatory and permitting requirements, gifting procedures for the City and County are adhered to, notification and community outreach is done and interference with scheduled events at the park are minimized.
We greatly appreciate your interest, commitment and generosity. Together we can mālama ʻāina (care for and respect the land) and continue to keep Oʻahu beautiful! Mahalo!
To download and view the below instructions in a new window, click here.
I. Start with Talking, Listening and Working on Your Proposal with DPR
Talk over your ideas with DPR staff at the park, a park manager and the Director or Deputy Director of DPR.
II. Prepare a Schematic Plan (formal drawing)
Prepare a schematic plan showing all of the proposed improvements and the location in the park. DPR will share that with the Department of Design and Construction (DDC). They are the City’s engineers and construction managers. They start by reviewing a drawing and provide general comments, which can save everyone a lot of time and frustration. For example, is the project located in a flood zone and subject to additional regulations?
The plans will also be reviewed by the Department of Parks and Recreation – Division of Urban Forestry (DUF) if the improvements are near an existing tree(s). DUF will guide you in the proper way to do tree protection so the project can be done without harming any trees.
Wait for the initial comments before taking the next step, because some adjustments may need to be made. DDC and DUF will work with you to clarify and/or explain any comments made and what needs to be done to produce an acceptable drawing.
III. Work with the Community
Discuss your ideas with the members of the community. Be prepared to go to the local Neighborhood Board to present your ideas and ask for their support. DPR can work with you on this process. There is also a lot of guidance available to the public for how to appropriately engage community. Here is one that is designed for the City and County of Honolulu. Parks are public lands that are enjoyed by many different user groups. it is important to engage the community and gain their support. Be open to suggestions – they can often make the project even better!
Prepare Construction Plans
After the drawings and concept has been approved by DPR, DUF and DDC, you will need building plan (if the project includes building) or improvement plans (if doing a landscape or land restoration project. Construction plans and specifications must be properly designed by an architect or engineer licensed in the State of Hawaii for the type of improvements being designed. All design work bust meet current codes, ordinances and laws. DPR will share the plans with DDC and/or DUF: sometimes there is some back and forth with requested changes to meet code requirements or park standards for construction.
Get City Council Approval of Your Gift Donation to the City
Gifts to the City must be approved by the City Council before they can be accepted. DPR will work with you to prepare a Council Resolution which describes the gift and the value of the project.
Obtain All Permits Needed for the Project
The community project group shall obtain all of the necessary permits and approvals from various government agencies as may be required. The permit process can be simple (a building permit) or more complicated (environmental, cultural reviews, flood zone approvals). The number of permits depend on where the project is sited as well as by the size or type of project. If the project has any historical significance, it will need to be reviewed by the State of Hawaii Historic Preservation Division (SHPD).
Projects in parks will be subject to meeting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You will need to submit construction plans and specifications for review/approval by the Commission on Person with Disabilities. All work to comply with ADAAG.
Use Licensed Contractors
All built projects or improvements shall be done by a contractor licensed in the State of Hawaii.
Scheduling Work on Your Project
DPR works with multiple park users and hosts any different events. It’s important to make sure construction has minimal adverse impact to the park users and the community.
I. Schedule a Pre-Construction Meeting
Before starting work, schedule a site meeting with DPR Managers and the Park Staff to go over detail, like where workers will park, start and end times for, delivery or materials, etc. A Right-of-Entry Park Use permit will need to be obtained before work can begin. We appriciate your kokua and attention to these details, which will make sure there are minimal disruptions of other parks events and users.
II. Schedule a Construction Date
Work with DPR Park Management to schedule the best time to start the construction work.
III. Be Prepared for Construction Status Inspections During the Project
DPR will arrange for a project oversight manager assigned for construction projects, who will schedule inspections to make sure project plans are being followed. We know unexpected things can pop-up during projects and we can work with you to address these. DPR will need to be sure the resolutions to unexpected issues are permitted, and that the final plans depict the changes, so our records will accurately reflect the work done for future DPR staff to maintain.
IV. Schedule a Post-Construction Inspection, Punch List and Completion
As construction wraps up, you will need to have a project inspection, which may generate a “punch list” of final things that need to be done to finish according to plan. Once the “punch list” is completed, a final inspection will be scheduled. Any corrective actions must be done within two two (2) calendar days after final inspection. Once everything has been completed, the finished project can be turned over to DPR.
The completed improvements shall be under the control of DPR and shall be open to the general public in accordance with DPR rules.
The community service group shall provide DPR with written approval to allow removal of the approvals if necessary for the installation of future City improvements to the park.
DPR may request that the community service group assist in maintaining the improvement by adopting the portion of the park with your wonderful community.
MAHALO again for your commitment or our parks! We look forward to working with you.