LIHU‘E — The man in charge of county parks said he thinks it is absurd to consider turning off stadium lights and other illumination just to preserve endangered native seabirds.
“For me, I think it’s unacceptable” to have lights completely off for the native birds, said Lenny Rapozo, director of the county Department of Parks and Recreation, while speaking on county parks in the Lihu‘e area at the April meeting of the Lihu‘e Business Association on Thursday.
Still, over $2 million in county taxpayer money is planned to be spent “retrofitting” lights at Vidinha Stadium, the Lihu‘e tennis courts, Isenberg Field, Hanapepe Stadium, Kapa‘a New Park stadium and softball field and Kilauea Park to conform with provisions of the federal Endangered Species Act, he said.
Any endangered seabird “costs up to $20,000” per take, he said. A take is any killing or injuring, regardless if the take is intentional or accidental.
The “design phase is almost complete” and negotiations are underway to create a permit which would allow a certain number of birds to be killed each year before fines kick in, Rapozo said.
Many millions of dollars are also being spent to make and keep county parks accessible to those with disabilities, in keeping with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), he said.
Several projects are currently “on the move” in Lihu‘e, totaling some $1 million, according to Rapozo.
When Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.’s new administration came on board, “projects and money that have been sitting” were “put into projects that can get done” over the course of two years, he said.
The Peter Rayno Sr. Park in Hanama‘ulu and Isenberg Park in Lihu‘e are two examples slated to receive new comfort stations (bathrooms) and ADA improvements, he said.
Isenberg Park’s contract is “out to bid” at $224,000 and would include a “bigger pavilion,” while Peter Rayno Sr. Park has an awarded construction contract for $150,000, said Rapozo.
Other projects include one at Puhi Park where ADA improvements will also occur, as well as updates to the playground costing some $100,000.
“For a long time this park was hidden in the back,” he said regarding the recreation area located near Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.
But when a new Kaneka Street was built that runs past the school and subdivisions including a self-help housing complex on both sides of the road were built out, the park became clearly visible from that busy Puhi street.
He hopes to provide a “connectivity for those that live there to enjoy,” Rapozo said about the park which he envisions more people utilizing.
Hanama‘ulu Beach Park is also expected to undergo improvements totaling some $400,000. The project is currently in the permitting stages, but is expected to be completed by 2011, Rapozo said.
Recreation is essential for healthy and happy people, and Kaua‘i county parks help make that possible, said Rapozo.
About 25 people attended the LBA’s April gathering to listen to what Rapozo had to say the county has in store for some of its approximate 625 acres of park lands (138 of which were recently acquired from Kaua‘i Lagoons Development) in the Lihu‘e area.
Other concerns raised Thursday were cited by various audience members including the condition of park bathrooms and the amount of litter at various locations.
“We don’t have the manpower and resources to go and pick up litter,” Rapozo said. What “we really need to” do is “educate the public.”
One representative from Tobacco Free Kaua‘i suggested “smoke-free beaches” such as those on the Big Island. Rapozo promised to arrange a meeting with the individual.
And, as far as maintaining “comfort stations,” county employees are responsible for cleaning them once a day, but “ideally two times per day,” Rapozo said.
However, this “doesn’t prevent people from trashing” them.
And when repairs are needed, such as plumbing, they are deferred to the county Department of Public Works, he said.
“We submit a work order and wait,” he said.
The county Department of Parks and Recreation employs 120 people and is responsible for maintaining 14 community centers, two public swimming pools, three stadium complexes, nine municipal tennis courts, 17 public cemeteries, Kaua‘i Veteran’s Cemetery, Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, Wailua Golf Course and 64 recreational beaches and parks, according to Rapozo.
“Recreation is very important for what goes on in the islands,” he said. Especially when it comes to sports like football, soccer and baseball, where “our parks are being maximized.”
“Sports is directly correlated to life and how we grow up,” Rapozo said.
• Coco Zickos, business and environmental writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com.
