NEWS ADVISORY
                            Department of Customer Services
                            Public Communications Division
                            City & County of Honolulu
                            523-4385

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (FEBRUARY 21, 2002)
KEOLU SKATEPARK OPENS TO THE PUBLIC SATURDAY 

            The City has completed construction on yet another skate park, this one in Kailua on the Windward side of Oahu. 

The Keolu Hills Neighborhood Skate Park, a 15,000 square feet skateboarding facility, will be officially dedicated to the public at the Grand Opening ceremony Saturday, February 23, at 10 a.m. with Mayor Jeremy Harris and other elected officials participating.  The park is located at 1416 Keolu Drive, next to Keolu Elementary School.

            A ten-minute skateboarding demonstration by 808 Skate Team and entertainment by the Eastside Wrecking Crew will be part of the festivities.  Star 101.9 van and the “supernovas” will be on site distributing free samples and giveaways.

The stand-alone facility is ADA accessible and complete with built-in bowls, quarterpipes, rails, benches and ramps.  Contractor of the facility is Alan Shintani, Inc.  The skateboard park was designed by Kodama Okamoto Architects, Inc. with the assistance of skateboarder/consultant Chuck Mitsui, who is also the owner of 808 Skate and President of the Association of Skateboarders Hawaii.

            The Kailua community has been anxiously awaiting the completion of the skateboarding rink, which will be officially accepted by the City today following final inspection.

            For more information contact Patti Kimoto, 527-6060.

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