Manoa residents
seize role in
park plans

'The community is being heard'
on the expansion of the
district park

By Lori Tighe
Star-Bulletin

The largest building project to come Manoa's way in a long time has some residents rolling up their sleeves for a fight.

They cite the usual litany of complaints -- lighting, noise, security, traffic and blocked views.

However, this time some community members say government is listening. The estimated $8 million project is being designed "grass roots up," said Manoa Neighborhood Board Chairman Tom Heinrich. "It used to be: 'Here is what you're going to get.' It's a very different game now. The community is being heard."

The project is a joint effort between the state and the city to expand the athletic fields and build a community sports center with 1,000 seats at Manoa District Park.

The centerpiece of the project is a "true community center," with two full basketball courts, a stage, kitchen and classrooms. Tennis, volleyball and racquetball courts would be added, as well as a roller blade area and a dog "bark park."

But resident Meg Lin, who lives near the park, is worried about the increase in noise, lights and security problems. "Two times we've been robbed as a result of people sitting in the upper parking lot and scoping our house," she told the Manoa Neighborhood Board last week.

Lin wants the city and state to take a look at making the project more reasonable in size and to change the placement of the community recreational center.

Neighborhood board member Michael Kliks said he understands how nearby residents would have "serious concerns about the noise," with eight baseball diamonds and more volleyball and tennis courts.

"I can hear parents cursing and shouting out epitaphs at 9-year-olds a half-mile away at my house," Kliks said.

"I don't want to be a NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard), but thousands of people on the weekend will generate some problems."

Most of all, residents are concerned that the new and improved park will attract more people.

"The expansion is to handle the existing demand, not to expand it," Heinrich said.

"Unfortunately Manoa has gained a reputation for being a privileged community where NIMBY persists."

The neighborhood board voted in December to support the project. "It's a big deal," Heinrich said. The need for expansion and improvement to both Manoa School and the city's recreational facilities is great, he said.

Manoa has the heaviest league activity on the island, and probably in the state, Heinrich said. Parents have been known to wait in line at 3 a.m. to get their child on a team.

Residents met with project consultants last Thursday, and most people walked away with a similar feeling of frustration, said Heinrich. He saw it as a good sign.

"It probably meant that we were closer to an appropriate compromise," he said. "The focus is how can we make sure the community as a whole is a winner."

After Thursday's meeting, project consultants worked on a compromise plan that should be presented to the community in two to three weeks.