‘Aloha Spirit in action’: Community stoked by completion of Kona Skatepark expansion

It was 13 years ago when the first obstacle and major section of the Kona Skatepark — the keiki bowl — was built, and while it was definitely more than what skateboarders in Kailua-Kona had before, the park’s stand-alone keiki bowl and wooden ramps only kept their shiny new appeal so long.

Eventually, with no change since 2012, the park stagnated, becoming more generic than gnarly and leaving nobody stoked.

So Kona Skatepark ʻOhana — a group that supports the skatepark at Kailua Park in Kailua-Kona — grabbed its deck and dropped in to bring Kailua-Kona a long-overdue upgrade and expansion of the facility.

The park support group joined Hawai‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation along with an army of community partners and volunteers July 16 for a blessing ceremony and opening celebration for the new and significant addition to the Kona Skatepark.

The newly completed expansion project more than doubles the size of the skatepark and includes new quarter pipes, rails, a pyramid and other obstacles.

Completion of the project follows 2 years of fundraising, planning, design and construction led by a dedicated group of volunteers with support from Hawai‘i County.

“Our initial plan involved a patchwork of concrete mini ramps and obstacle additions to existing infrastructure, as we knew that some areas were not designed with skateboarding in mind,” Kona Skatepark ʻOhana wrote in a July 15 Instagram post. “It was unused social area that could be utililized as skate space.”

It was through collaboration and discussion with local skateboarders and other partners that numerous designs were created and compiled.

Further discussion with consultant Abstract Builders Hawai‘i — which also assisted with construction of the park expansion — fine-tuned the project to be more simple and practical in size and flow, which Kona Skatepark ‘Ohana said added “unique elements that compliment skateboarding, our culture and ʻāina.”

Volunteer Flaunn Elder-Jamieson, who helped spearhead the expansion project, thanked the Kona Skatepark ‘Ohana team, the many community volunteers and the county, adding there are “too many contributors to name” who made the project possible.

“It’s like no other feeling I’ve ever had — the feeling of completion and celebrating with the people who really backed us in this project,” Elder-Jamieson was quoted in a county release as saying during an opening blessing and celebration July 16 for the new expansion. “It’s such a sense of pride.”

In addition to private donations and volunteer contributions, Hawai‘i County Council Chairman Holeka Inaba and Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas also provided funding.

Parks and Recreation provided various materials, supplies and services in support of the effort as well.

“This skatepark is an example of what we can accomplish when the community comes together to support our youth,” Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda was quoted in the release as saying during the blessing ceremony. “Mahalo to the volunteers and partners who helped make this significant expansion happen.”

The new skatepark expansion was opened to the public following the blessing ceremony, and skateboarders wasted little time getting into the park to try out its new features.

Kona Skatepark is located at Kailua Park, next to the old runway at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area which is inside the park located at 75-5500 Kuakini Highway, in Kailua-Kona.

Kailua Park is open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Kona Skatepark ‘Ohana extended its deepest mahalo to everyone who contributed to the expansion project.

“Your collective support has empowered and inspired our community and lifted our spirits!” the group exclaimed in its July 15 Instagram post. “The Aloha Spirit in action!”

Fundraising efforts continue in hopes of supporting ongoing and future park improvements.

“We look forward to enhancing the park with additions like a tent shade system for the street and bowl sections, an improved alternative path, perhaps concrete sidewalk and benches throughout,” the group wrote in a July 2 post on Instagram. “Your contributions have been instrumental in driving progress, and we encourage you to continue supporting our mission.”

Parks and Recreation is also moving forward with other upgrades at Kailua Park.

A project to demolish the old terminal building and construct several new restroom facilities and a concession building at Old Kona Airport State Recreation Area is expected to go out to bid for construction later this year.

“This skatepark addition is a major improvement, and we really appreciate the efforts of all the volunteers,” Hawai‘i County Director of Parks and Recreation Clayton Honma is quoted in the county release as saying during the opening celebration Wednesday. “We look forward to continuing to make significant upgrades at Kailua Park, which is such a vital recreational resource for the West Hawai‘i community.”

News reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.