LIHU‘E — Bev Brody of Get Fit Kaua‘i admitted on Thursday that she always had a desire to try the slide on a play structure.
She got the opportunity following the blessing of the new play structure at Kalena Park by cultural practitioner Sean Chun. The blessing was also attended by Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, Kaua‘i County Council members Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Dr. Addison Bulosan, and representatives of the many hands that participated in making the structure come to life.
The blessing was also a birthday gift to Brody, who celebrated her birth date on Wednesday when the Vancouver Canucks ice hockey team came from a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Edmonton Oilers, 5-4.
“I was screaming so loud — especially when the two teams were tied, 4-4,” Brody said. “You could hear me all the way out in Kekaha. This blessing tops that.”
The playground is part of the Kalena Park Improvements project that was developed by Na Lei Wili Area Health Education Center and Get Fit Kaua‘i, and sponsored by the County of Kaua‘i, CDBG Program in partnership with the Department of Parks &Recreation.
Landscape Structures and Exerplay were the contractors. Other project supporters includd the county’s Housing Agency, Pacific Playscapes, Inc., KickAss Concrete, Kaua‘i Cares and a lot of other partners and supporters.
“And, don’t forget Lori Koga of Tanaka Hardware Store,” Brody said. “Lori is the mother of Kalena Park. She was involved in watching the park long before any of this happened.”
Work that led up to the play structure being changed out include the removal of the chain link fence surrounding the perimeter of Kalena Park, the installation of concrete balls and car stops.
Brody said work on the Kalena Park improvements started way back when the Boys &Girls Club students, who use the park a lot, came up with a list of what was not working, what they would like to see, and what they want from the park. That list came with a price tag of nearly $4 million mark.
That started the journey where the students got to meet then-mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr., the Kaua‘i County Council and other people.
“This was a learning process,” Brody said. “The kids learned what it takes to get something done. It’s not just getting a list together. We need to work on getting things done.”
Originally, Brody said Thursday was supposed to be a blessing for the play structure with a bigger event planned for the park improvements taking place in June. Those plans, however, have been put on hold until after a community workday where trees are scheduled to be planted and more ground work needs to be addressed.
Larry Feinstein of the neighboring Kaua‘i Beer Company said all the credit goes to Brody.
“Absolutely nothing would have happened. without the tireless energy of Bev Brody. Bev has always been the driving force in the group. Somehow, Bev and Mel Rapozo connected, and he managed to get a grant awarded to Get Fit Kaua‘i and that is how it all really picked up steam,” Feinstein said.
“This park has such a great history, and it is a testament to what can happen when the government and the community come together for a common goal. It is not over yet. Bev is looking to get some funding that will allow for a senior — kupuna — exercise area that will make Kalena Park a true multi-generational endeavor.”
