Mayor Mufi Hannemann today announced a new program that will encourage organizations and individuals to assist in the City’s continuing improvements with park care and maintenance.

The Hoa Paka (park partner) program will officially recognize those who become major park sponsors, and will also incorporate long-established volunteer efforts to clean and adopt parks.

            “Oahu’s public parks are beautiful treasures that add to our quality of life, but they need kokua,” Mayor Hannemann said. “The Hoa Paka program will recognize people and organizations that assist the parks by volunteering and providing financial assistance.”

            The highest level of public-private partnership is the Ali‘i Park Partner program, for partners who regularly participate in the maintenance and upkeep of a park for a minimum of seven years or make a monetary donation to a park of $10,000. Through the Hoa Paka program, Ali‘i Park Partners will be recognized with a special sign placed in a park of their choice for a period of at least one year.

            Sixty-eight groups and individuals have already qualified for such recognition. Mayor Hannemann today thanked them for their hard work and assistance, and presented copies of the new signs to a representative group of the supporters.

            “I am deeply grateful to the many groups and individuals who have worked so hard to ensure our beautiful parks remain clean, safe and welcoming to everyone,” Mayor Hannemann said. “This is a wonderful example of community pride and of going the extra mile to help everyone.”

 CONTACT:     Bill Brennan, Mayor’s Office, 527-6928