HANAPEPE — Construction of the new, pop-up skatepark in Hanapepe Town Park is moving along at a fast clip, as volunteers from the Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana and the community completed the six-foot halfpipe over the weekend.
“I live just down the street,” said Tim Saunders, a volunteer who turned out to help for the second straight week.
“I can see the skate park from my window. That way, when there’re no kids, I can come out to skate.”
The six-foot halfpipe is the second major component of the new skate park being installed through efforts coordinated by the county’s Planning Department and Department of Parks &Recreation, the Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana and community volunteers.
The project includes a three-foot half pipe and a six-foot half pipe, and shares the park with other users, including the Sunshine Market that is conducted Thursdays. Construction started after the county received hundreds of testimonies requesting more skateboarding facilities on the Westside.
Funding for the temporary, pop-up skatepark is through a quick-build grant from the state Department of Health, with a purpose to enhance public spaces in ways that encourage physical activity. The cost of the skate park is approximately $35,000, similar to the pop-up skate park at the Lihu‘e Civic Center that was opened in October through a quick-build DOH grant.
“Our head builder was Dustin MacDonald of Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana,” said Saunders.
“And don’t forget Gregg Pacilio, Mark Cooper and Rob Filaroski. We also have carpenters coming in after their Saturday work to complete the structure.”
Planning Director Ka‘aina Hull said the halfpipes are temporary.
“These will be utilized to test the facility’s usage and impact on the surrounding area,” Hull said during the project blessing.
“If there are little-to-no negative impacts, the county can begin to look at siting a permanent skate facility at this site. On the other hand, if there is low usage and/or considerable impacts, we can remove the skatepark with relative ease and expediency.”
Officials anticipate construction of the pop-up skate park will be complete in mid-July, and will announce when the facility is open to the public.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
