Puna CDP Workgroup: Parks & Rec

[alfastatik]

I'm facilitating the Puna CDP Parks and Rec group and looking to get back into the flow after doing some traveling. If anyone is interested in joining this workgroup please call (333-4294) or email (below). Current projects of interest include: Pahoa Regional Park, Pahoa Sr. Center, and Cape Kumukahi (Kapoho Pt.) I'd especially like to see some mauka folks so we could work on some stuff up there too.

Aloha,
Jeff

Jeffrey Krepps
jevkreppsz@juno.com
Kurtistown, HI

[JerryCarr]

Mayor Kenoi spoke recently at a General Membership meeting of HPP and promised us that he would place a park on one of our 20-acre parcels of land that we have offered to donate to the County. It would be nice if this were included in the Puna CDP. When I expressed some skepticism about the promise, especially funding it, the Mayor was adamant that it was a priority. We have a Parks Committee in HPP that you might want to contact through our office at 966-4500.

Cheers,
Jerry

[alfastatik]

Thanks Jerry I'll call the office @ HPP and see if I can set something up.

BTW: CDP (p.3-18) indicates, "develop a new District Park on 20 acre parcel owned by HPPOA @ 16th and Maku'u. Improvements would include: a swimming pool, gym, field complex, and community center"

Sounds pretty sweet.

Jeffrey Krepps
jevkreppsz@juno.com
Kurtistown, HI

[JerryCarr]

Jeffrey, please let me know when you have made a connection with the HPP Parks Committee. I closely follow HPP affairs and would hope that the office quickly gets you in touch.

As for the park itself, the Mayor promised "not a Mercedes park, but a Honda park." I suppose that means "good quality, but not fancy." Whether that includes all the amenities in the CDP would seem doubtful in the current County financial climate. When I pressed him on how it would be paid for, he said it would be in the Capital Improvements Budget. Of course, he didn't mention that the Council would have to approve that, and his cousin Emily has a poor record of getting Puna items included.

The ultimate bugaboo in this picture may well be the road from Highway 130 to the park. IMHO, the County should upgrade and take over the stretch of Makuu Drive leading to the proposed park. This would seem fair since an attractive park with even a few of the CDP listed amenities would generate a lot of outside traffic on the currently "private" Makuu. Accepting any responsibility for private subdivision roads, however, has perennially been a toxic subject for the County. I'm not saying that it has never happened or will never happen, but it's not something that they would lightly take on.

My summary comment on the Mayor's promise is, "We'll see."

[alfastatik]

I called up HPPOA and will try to attend Board Meeting 7/21 @ 6p. The CDP-AC has developed work plans for individual projects and I'd like to work with the HPP Parks Group on securing the 20ac park as indicated in CDP. I understand it may be awhile for the larger ammenities, such as pool.

Aloha,

Jeff

Jeffrey Krepps
jevkreppsz@juno.com
Kurtistown, HI