CITY SCHEDULES FEBRUARY 11-15 TO CLEAN TWO SECTIONS OF ULEHAWA BEACH PARK

Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced in December that the Department of Parks and Recreation will return to the Leeward Coast early this year to do a major cleanup and make improvements to a portion of Ulehawa Beach Park.  The date has been set for February 11-15.  In addition to the announced Nani Kai Beach portion of Ulehawa Beach Park, the department will also make improvements to Surfer’s Beach area.

Department of Parks and Recreation Director Les Chang said the City will close the two portions of Ulehawa Beach Park beginning at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 10.  They will reopen after 3:00 p.m. on Friday, February 15.  The closure will enable City parks workers to complete extensive maintenance of the park areas. 

 “We have received overwhelming support from the Leeward Coast community through e-mails, letters and phone calls following Mayor Hannemann’s announcement of the upcoming parks improvement program,” Chang said.  “The Mayor has encouraged us to include in our latest cleanup the Surfer’s Beach section.  We will continue to count on the State government’s lead in providing shelter space and services to meet the needs of the homeless people who are illegally camping in beach parks.”

During the week-long closure, the repair and maintenance will include thorough cleaning of the comfort station and replacement of bathroom fixtures, where needed.  Repairs will be made to picnic tables, park benches and irrigation systems.  The park’s parking lot will be swept and re-striped.  Parking lot curbs, picnic tables and the comfort station will all be painted.  Crews will also make landscaping improvements.

Following the overhaul, the City intends to close Nani Kai and Surfer’s park areas nightly from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., beginning the evening of February 15.  The Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board will discuss the closure at their February 5 meeting.

“We’re putting the word out well in advance to give our homeless service providers and park-users enough time to make alternate plans” Chang said.   “We want to provide safe, clean, well-maintained parks for all residents to use.  Parks should be safe and inviting for everyone to enjoy.”