FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Despite warnings from police, skaters and bicyclists soon returned to the Keolu Hills Skate Park. Many are eagerly awaiting the opening of the skate park, set for next month.

Kailua kids aren’t
waiting for skateboard
park to open

Don't use it until Feb., police
warn youth who sneak in early

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

At 1:40 p.m. yesterday, 15-year-old Jack Lavelle and about 26 other skateboarders swooped up and down the half-pikes at the newly built skateboard ramp at Keolu Hills Neighborhood Park in Kailua. Five minutes later, police officer Anthony Crane sounded off his vehicle's siren, warning skateboarders to vacate the area.

Children and teenagers scattered and jumped over the 4-foot chain-link fence toward the baseball field.

"We really don't have a problem with them skating. We think it's a good idea that there's a place for them to congregate. But we have to respond to the complaints that the public give us. Plus, there's a safety hazard," said Crane of the Kailua Police Station.

Though police frequently warn skateboarders they are trespassing, some continue to ignore their warnings.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM HPD officer Anthony Crane chased skaters out of the Keolu Hills Skate Park in Kailua yesterday. They were told to leave or face trespassing charges.

By 2 p.m. several skateboarders returned to the ramp after Crane left.

"It's open as far as I'm concerned," said 16-year-old Taj Mahelic.

"They're not going to keep us out," said Mahelic's friend, 15-year-old Aaron Wilkenson.

Some parents, children and teenagers from Mililani to Kahaluu eagerly await the official opening of the skateboard ramp, set for sometime in early February. Many of the skateboard parks were initiated by vision teams, said city spokeswoman Carol Costa. Skateboarders also were involved in the planning, design and construction of the facility, Costa said. Kodama/Okamoto Architects Inc. designed the 15,000-square-foot park which cost the city about $600,000.

Mayor Jeremy Harris said: "I had a number of skateboarders and their parents come see me. They brought a legitimate concern (that) we haven't provided a safe and legitimate place to engage in their sport."

Skateboarders often would exercise on public benches and storm drains, Harris said.

Kahaluu resident Gary Gowdy, who brought his 11-year-old son, Scott, and five others to the skateboard park for the first time, said: "They should have this in every neighborhood. ... It's better than being out in the streets or (skating) in the mall."

Crane informed Gowdy and his brother, Tom Burroughs, that the skateboard park has not officially opened, and "no trespassing" signs were posted.

"You put this out here and tell kids to stay out of it until early February. You really expect them to do that?" asked Gowdy.

Trespassers can be fined up to $300, Crane said. Police stop by the park every hour to deter children and teenagers from using it. They did not cite any skateboarders yesterday because they know they're excited and can't wait until the park opens, he added.

Burroughs was disappointed that the children were not able to use the skateboard park.

"When something is completed, it doesn't need an official opening," said Burroughs, who has a 13-year-old son, Kevin, who enjoys skateboarding.

"The kids are just having fun," he said. "It's a chance for them to get some fresh air and exercise."

Completed and proposed skateboard parks on Oahu: Completed parks: Makiki District Park Kaomaaiku Neighborhood Park Under construction: Keolu Hills Neighborhood Park Mililani District Park Aala Park Kamiloiki Community Park Kailua District Park Pending construction: Banzai Support Park Kaneohe District Park Manana Community Park Planning Stages: Haleiwa Regional Park Kalihi Valley District Park Kapolei Regional Park Aiea/Pearl City Village Park Future Plans: Waipahu Koko Head District Park Central Oahu Park