Come Wednesday, Hawaiian Humane Society dog park clientele and their owners will need to find other pooch-friendly grounds on which to romp.
The Humane Society is closing its popular off-leash dog park after 15 years to accommodate a planned expansion of its core facilities. The renovations will include more animal housing, a new admissions center, adoptions pods and a larger veterinary clinic.
The park was established in 1999 with a grant from the McInerny Foundation. Over the years, its handsomely groomed field, small pond and comfortable seating made it a popular stop for Honolulu dog owners.
"The Humane Society park is not a State or County offering," the Human Society said in a post on its website. "It is a privately run park and supported entirely by the generosity of donors who have made possible the upkeep of landscape, water features, benches, lighting and fencing. For more than 15 years, this park has been a gift to the community from the Humane Society."
Park regulars said they were surprised but understanding that the Humane Society has need to take back that gift.
Iosefa Masitalo, 31, of the University Avenue area said he supports the Human Society’s priorities in providing better service and care for the estimately 26,000 animals that pass through the facility each year. Still, he said he was disappointed to lose a dog park that was close to home and safe and enjoyable for his two dogs.
"It’s terrible," Masitalo said. "It’s a great facility, and it’s a shame to see it close."
Masitalo said he brings his Chihuahua Puma and his Chihuahua-terrier Dougie to the park at least once a week. He said he and his dogs will now have to travel a little farther to the Ala Wai Dog Park.
Caryn Arine, 31, of Aina Haina had been bringing her dog, Sachi, a rambunctious mix of Australian cattle hound and Labrador retriever, to the park once or twice a week for the last two years.
Arine said the park had ample room for Sachi and her friend Maile to run around without being intimidated by some of the larger breeds that frequent other parks.
Like Masitalo, Arine said she understood the Humane Society’s decision to use the space for other purposes.
"I’ll just have to find another park," she said.
There are five remaining dog parks on Oahu, which are run by the city:
» Ala Wai Dog Park: 2015 Kapiolani Blvd.
» Bark Park: Diamond Head Road and 18th Avenue
» Hawaii Kai Dog Park: 220 Keahole St.
» Moanalua Dog Park: 2900 Moanalua Road
» Mililani Dog Park: 95-1069 Ukuwai St.
