Dog Park Construction To Begin This Month

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After three years of planning and fundraising, the non-profit group Hui ‘Ilio Hawaii has finally got its permits to construct a dog park in Hawaii Kai.

The city Department of Planning and Permitting issued permits Sept. 26 for the construction of the park, which will be located at the vacant city-owned lot adjacent to the Hawaii Kai Park and Ride.With issuing of these permits comes approval for lots of work to be done, including grubbing, planting, irrigation and fencing.Work is expected to start in the middle of this month.

“We are still raising funds to cover construction costs,” said Elaine Dobashi, Hui ‘Ilio Hawaii president. “Our total budget to cover the fencing,park benches and some fixtures, and to pay for a small part of the landscaping, is over $57,000. We’re more than halfway there, and we are asking all dog park supporters to contribute what they can or come help us with fundraising.”

The group also seeks fencing contractors who would consider donating services or discounts in their bids on behalf of the community. Jim Lyons of Lyon Associates,a civil engineering firm, developed the grubbing and construction plans.Dennis Hashimoto of DJNS Surveying and Mapping Inc. provided a free topographical survey and perimeter staking. Ben Lee of Brownlie and Lee Landscape Architects donated irrigation plans.

Hui ‘Ilio Hawaii began planning for the dog park three years ago, holding its first meeting in August 2004. A proposal was presented to the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board, which the board fully endorsed.Hui `Ilio then approached the city Department of Parks and Recreation and city officials to pursue getting the needed permits and funding to build it. The City Council awarded a small budget for the planning and design, but not the total cost of construction.Since then, Hui ‘Ilio has worked closely with the parks department on a public-private partnership to build the park and organized efforts to find sponsors and raise funds. Once the park opens, park employees will maintain it, and Hui ‘Ilio will recruit and train community volunteers to monitor the area.

For more information on Hui ‘Ilio Hawaii, visit www.hui-ilio.org or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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