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Sand Island park
needs caretakers

Question: Why are the back gates at Sand Island beach park closed off? First it was the last parking lot. Now it's the last two lots. Also, the grass there is overgrown. Who takes care of the park?

Q: Can you send someone to check Sand Island park? No one cuts the grass. It's a crying shame to neglect the beautiful park. City Hall is not doing its job.

Answer: Sand Island State Park is under the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, so City Hall has nothing to do with its upkeep.

The lack of maintenance is attributed to a shortage of caretakers, which is tied largely to budget cuts that have plagued the state parks for years.

Consider that there are only about 24 people available for the care of 22 state parks. Compounding the shortage are workers out on medical leave or vacations.

Jon Sasaki, DLNR's Oahu District Park superintendent, acknowledged that the condition of Sand Island park generates a lot of public complaints.

"Sometimes it becomes difficult for our caretakers to cover the entire park site, and we apologize for this," he said. Grass cutting has begun in the areas cited, but it could take time to complete.

Sand Island is made up of six park areas covering 88 acres.

The last area, which includes a comfort station and parking lot, has been closed since August, after a caretaker was transferred -- "temporarily," although he's gone indefinitely -- to the Windward side to fill a shortage.

Then, in October, another caretaker went out on worker's compensation. He is expected back in mid-February. Area 5, which includes a comfort station and parking area, will be closed at least until that worker returns.

On top of the staff shortage, there is only one riding mower running for the entire park, although Sasaki hopes to repair another one soon for use at Sand Island.

He hopes to get things "back to normal" by the end of February, but "normal" is a relative term.

Sand Island, which at one time had 13 caretakers, currently is down to one supervisor and three caretakers. Sasaki says he now considers five to be a full staff.

The four current caretakers are responsible for cleaning and maintaining park facilities and grounds, including camping, picnic and parking sites. They also help maintain equipment, make minor repairs to vehicles and plumbing, and help with landscaping, tree trimming and running errands for supplies.

"However, all restrooms are cleaned and trash is picked up at least once a day," Sasaki said.

"We've been dying the last few years" in not having the budget to hire more people, he said.

Unfortunately, he doesn't expect that to change "any time soon."

Sasaki welcomes volunteers to help out at Sand Island or other parks. Groups such as the Boy Scouts and Lions Club, as well as state prisoners, have provided much-appreciated labor.

Call Sasaki at 587-0299 if you can help.

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