Restrooms, paved parking and roads, lighting, a bike path and sidewalks are among some of the improvements area residents would like to see at a beach park in Ewa Beach.
The feedback stems from an event held last month that sought to establish partnerships with businesses and community members to upgrade Oneula Beach Park, popularly known as Hau Bush, said City Councilwoman Kymberly Pine, who represents the area. She said her staff is continuing to compile feedback from residents.
“They (residents) just want more gathering places where people can sit with their families and have picnics,” said Pine, adding that about 10 years ago people used to dump crushed cars and old refrigerators at the beach park. “We need to make the park an essential focus of pride.”
Several community groups, including the Ewa Beach Lions Club, the Ewa Puuloa Hawaiian Civic Club, the Ewa Beach Surf Club and the Hoakalei Cultural Foundation, worked with Pine to hold the event, with about 150 in attendance.
Kaui Serrao, daughter of community leader and kupuna Auntie Mary Serrao, said her family took part in the effort as a means to support the community and the future of the beach park. “It needs to be maintained,” said Kaui Serrao, adding that she would like to see working bathrooms in the area.
This fiscal year, city officials have allotted $1 million in the capital improvements budget for the beach park. It received $150,000 in 2014-15 and $80,000 in 2012-13.
The city started work earlier this month to fix the bathroom at the beach park.
Kuuwainani Eaton, granddaughter of community leader and kupuna Auntie Arline Eaton, said she would like to see some changes, including bathrooms and filled-in potholes. But she added that she does not want these changes to alter the character of the beach park.
“There’s beauty in simplicity, I think,” said Kuuwainani Eaton, who along with her family worked with Pine to host the event. “If we can kind of maintain it and keep it clean, I would be happy with that.”
Other residents expressed concern that Haseko development plans could limit public access to the beach. Haseko has maintained that it has no jurisdiction over the beach park because it is operated by the city.
