Community meeting to provide updates for new pool, facilities at Kahuku District Park

Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, June 3 beginning 6:30 p.m. in Kahuku Elementary’s Cafeteria

The City and County of Honolulu and consultant G70 are returning to Kahuku to provide updates on the effort to build a new pool and additional park facilities at Kahuku District Park.  A community meeting to further discuss the park’s draft master plan and the progression of this project is scheduled for Tuesday, June 3, 2025 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Kahuku Elementary School’s Cafeteria.

During the last community meeting on October 29, 2024, G70 presented the first proposal of the draft master plan after combining recommendations from community members during the prior meeting.  Attendees then refined the proposal, delivering cohesive recommendations for improvements and upgrades they want to see at Kahuku District Park.

That proposal, in conjunction with the above draft master plan, included:

• City funds are expected to be used for the proposed 50-meter, 8-lane pool and adjacent parking lot, while AES funds are expected to be used for either the meeting room or covered play courts. All four community groups at the meeting preferred covered play courts instead of a meeting room. The pool and covered play court projects can be done simultaneously, but will be phased due to the different funding sources.
• The red dotted lines represent other potential projects including: a parking lot along Pualalea Street, playcourt expansion, recreation center on the existing Kahuku Village Association site, and expanding the existing skatepark
• The skate park expansion is proposed to be part of a private-public partnership with 808 Skate, and will not take funds away from the other proposed projects.
• The yellow dotted lines represent the existing fields, currently used for a variety of activities. The goal is to not impact these open spaces, and keep them as is.

If you cannot attend the meeting, updates will continue to be available on the project’s dedicated website: bit.ly/kahukuforyou

This project began as a direct result of the Mayor’s April 20, 2023 Town Hall meeting in Lāʻie, where residents shared their long-standing desire for a full-sized public pool and recreation center. The closest City swimming pools for the Ko‘olauloa communities are located either at Kāne‘ohe District Park or Waialua District Park, which are approximately 25 and 17 miles from Kahuku District Park respectively. As a result, the 15.86 acre Kahuku District Park represents one of the better public locations to construct these recreational facilities.

In November 2023, the City announced the release of $1.5 million in funding for the planning and development of the pool and recreation center at Kahuku District Park. This funding will be for the planning and design phase of the project, including: detailed architectural plans, engineering, and environmental assessments to ensure successful and sustainable facilities.

This investment was further bolstered by the support of Honolulu City Councilmember Matt Weyer and AES Hawai‘i, who pledged $5 million in funding along with assistance from their consultant Group 70 International, Inc. This reflects a strong public-private partnership with a shared goal benefiting the Kahuku community and beyond.

In January 2024, the first community meeting specifically discussing this effort was held yielding excellent discussions on existing park use, community concerns, current project parameters, and expectations moving forward. In September 2024, the second community meeting tasked about 50 attendees, in four smaller groups, to explore how the park can potentially fit a 25-meter, 50-meter, and/or kiddie pool, the supporting pool facilities (pump room, bleachers, showers, etc.), a recreation center, and additional parking.

With the immense potential to enhance the recreational opportunities and community cohesion for park users in Kahuku, the City hopes these meetings will reflect the values and priorities of the community as we consider a variety of perspectives. These meetings also provide a level of transparency and inclusivity, helping to create a sense of ownership among all participants as they collaborate with the various stakeholders in this effort. The City is truly encouraged by the collaboration of the community and all of the stakeholders to realize the creation of new recreational facilities. Mahalo for your contributions!

If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.

—PAU—

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