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.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Wow. A miniature size skate park. Maybe they can put bleachers for people to watch. Like chairs on the side. This will erode in a few months.
The boards that make up the skate path are uneven. Not properly placed and build. Poorly made. And will erode in a few months just the way it was built.
Awesome idea! I imagine that everyone would love and benefit from this. Thanks to those folks that committed their efforts to this project!
Hopefully the good will will spread,
, !
Any time you want to make a new and better skatepark, you know where to comment. [ here ]
Not everyone everywhere can afford the cost and space to build an epic park on a whim…
I think it’s a great idea to see what a positive impact skateboarding can have and to see if it is worth the financial investment to build a more extensive permanent park. Love the ramps… Can’t wait to get back and skate them again
I live in Hanapepe town, it is great to see this park being use for the keikis and their parents. We need a water fountain and a restroom facility. Hope it does not get destroy.
Mahalos to everyone who made this possible. The other commenter doesn’t know what he’s talking about, the ramps are so nice!
Well actually, the park isn’t designed to be permanent, it’s just to get the youth a place to ride till a permanent park can be established. As far as the workmanship, maybe you should go over next time and help them since you know so much about skate ramp tech.
Dustin Macdonald has over 30 years of skate ramp building experience on Kauai, on Oahu , on , Maui ,and on the mainland. Ask anyone on Kauai , who is either in the construction or skateboard world and they will tell you that Dustin Macdonald builds amazing things .Period
Oh yeah , Dustin also designed and built his own home.
Anyhow RG ,Maybe it’s time for you to put down the Ladder for once and give a skateboard a hug .
Dustin is da man. Everyone who knows anything about skating on Kauai knows this. Can’t decide if he is a better carpenter or skateboarder. Close call both ways. Best family guy too. Legend.