Alexander & Baldwin is donating a seven-acre parcel of land in Kailua to the state of Hawaii for a public park that will become Windward Oahu’s first dog park.
Alexander & Baldwin (NYSE: ALEX), which owns a large chunk of the commercial property in the center of Kailua town, is working out the details of the transfer with the state Department of Land and Natural Resorts, which the company hopes is completed soon, a spokesman told Pacific Business News.
“Kailua is a very special place. We’re happy to donate this land to the state for the benefit of the people who live there,” Lance Parker, A&B’s chief real estate officer, told PBN in an email. “Thanks to the efforts of our partners in government and the community, we look forward to seeing this property transformed into a special place for families and their pets to enjoy for many years to come.”
Windward lawmakers and community partners gathered Tuesday at the site along Hamakua Drive, between Aoloa Street and Keolu Drive, to announce the new park, which will include public outdoor climbing facilities, community gardens, exercise space and a playground area, in addition to the dog park.
The state’s 2018 budget includes $3.8 million for removing invasive mangrove, restoring the watershed on the site and the planning, design and construction of the new park. After construction is completed, the park will be turned over to the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation, which will manage the property through a public-private partnership with local community organizations.
“So many families have asked for a dog park and safe play space for their kids,” state Rep. Chris Lee, D-Kailua-Waimanalo, said in a statement. “This is an innovative new partnership between the state, city and local community organizations that will create a new park that will have something for all ages.”
Originally posted in Pacific Business News