GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Kalani Bishaw of Kailua went airborne yesterday afternoon at the Keolu Skateboard Park. Neighbors have complained about noise, graffiti and litter at the park.

Late skaters a pain
for Kailua residents

Some complain about the noise
caused by after-hours users
of Keolu Skateboard Park

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

After-hours skateboarders are creating a nightmare for Kailua residents who live near the Keolu Skateboard Park.

On Aug. 11, Marc Nakagawa, who lives behind the park, called police around 1:18 a.m. after he was awakened by noise from skateboards.

"When it's time to sleep, it's the worst," Nakagawa said.

Another resident, who is recovering from breast cancer, said onlookers blasting their car stereos while parked near the park contribute to the problem.

"This had been the worst," said the resident, who has lived in Kailua for 26 years.

The resident, who did not wish to be identified for this story, has called the police numerous times and written letters to the Kailua Neighborhood Board, Councilman Steve Holmes and the city Parks & Recreation Department complaining of the noise, graffiti and litter at the park.

"Nothing has been done," the resident said.

The complaints are not falling on deaf ears.

"The residents have a right to some tranquility in their own homes," said Wilfred Ho, district manager of the Parks & Recreation Department for Windward Oahu.

Some recommendations proposed by the Kailua Neighborhood Board include placing more signs along Keolu Drive to inform users about park rules, and planting trees between the houses and the park to help alleviate the noise level and address privacy issues.

Board members have also planned a citizen patrol to monitor the park after hours. At 7 p.m. a security guard will tell park users to leave, lock the gate and check the area thereafter for any violators.

Chairwoman Faith Evans said if the noise, litter and vandalism worsen, "we're thinking about closing the park at certain times."

"If these kids don't pay attention to the rules, they need to be cited," Evans said.

Moreover, Evans said she observed parents dropping off their children at the park at 9 p.m.

"There are no lights," she said. "Why would a parent drop off their kids off at 9 p.m. to skateboard? Parents themselves have to be more responsible, too."

Some residents in the area said those who abuse park rules and frequent the area during late hours are older skaters who drive to the park.

Twelve-year-old Olan Short, who uses the skateboard park almost every week, said: "I think it's pretty dumb. They're harming our chances to skate here."

But 38-year-old Michael Sendrey said residents fail to see the positive aspects of the skateboard park.

"There's a certain sense of civil obedience here. They learn how to be courteous," Sendrey said as he observed skaters taking turns to swoop up and down the ramp.

"There are always rotten apples," said Sendrey, who returned to skateboarding days ago after taking a 20-year hiatus from the sport.

Nakagawa said he supports the skateboard park as long as users abide by the rules.

"It needs to be a lot more secure," he said.

A sign is posted on the park's gate informing users that the park is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Tony Kanzic, director of the Association of Skateboarders in Hawaii, mailed a letter to 250 members about the residents' complaints.

The letter stated: "This skateboard park is open to everyone, so of course, it is not specifically our members who are involved. Because we are the ones who put in all of the time and effort to get the park built and use it the most, we all have a vested interest to ensure it operates smoothly for our continued enjoyment."

It further said that members should contact the police if they observe anything "that could jeopardize our skateboard park."

Kanzic added, "We're sympathetic toward the neighbors, but at the same time we're ecstatic for the skateboarders that they have a safe place to enjoy themselves."