There’s no question that Ala Moana Regional Park is showing its age. Created as a New Deal project and dedicated in 1934, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt fittingly called it “The People’s Park.” Its look hasn’t changed much since the peninsula dubbed “Magic Island” was added to its east end five decades ago.
For many residents, it’s a beloved go-to for beach potlucks and shoreline recreation. Still, there’s no disputing that it’s fraying at the edges and in need of upgrades. The city’s Ala Moana park master plan — drafted after public forums in March 2015 and April 2016 — aims to improve the 119-acre urban site while maintaining its character.
Among the plan’s guiding principles: restoring beauty while increasing accessibility and enhancing park features. The latter two collided Monday night during a final public presentation of the plan. Many rightly balked at a proposal to eliminate parking on the makai side of the road through the park to make way for a beachside “promenade.”
While that might be aesthetically pleasing and free up more space for foot traffic, opponents complained that the design favors walk-in tourists. They have a point. Much of the park’s charm is tied to its easy park-and-play accessibility for residents. Those lucky enough to find an open makai parking spot typically have a short distance to haul beach and picnic gear, such as canopies, tables, grills and coolers.
City officials maintain that moving all parking to the the mauka side of Ala Moana Park Drive would enable better traffic flow while freeing up more elbow room for pedestrians. In addition, they say, crossing pedestrians would be more visible in the absence of parked vehicles on the makai curb, thereby stepping up safety. Opponents have countered that without makai-side parking, many more people will be crisscrossing in traffic, adding to safety concerns.
Among the master plan’s proposals is a call to increase the number of mauka-side parking stalls by 100. The city should pursue the idea of adding stalls as it appears to have solid backing among residents. However, the plan should be tweaked so that the park holds onto its current lineup of 950 stalls, including the makai count. That first-come, first-served free parking is part of the park’s character — a subtle nod to its history as a casual gathering place.
The neighborhood is now changing amid fresh construction of luxury condos on Ala Moana Boul-
evard, which borders the park. Some see the high-end housing as an expansion of sorts of nearby Waikiki-
style real estate. In the interest of preserving a public place that has ample beauty and few frills, residents are right to feel wary of any proposal that could pave the way for a more gentrified-focused venture.
Mayor Kirk Caldwell assured the crowd at the meeting: “Nothing is going to happen until we hear from the public.” And Honolulu Hale has indeed responded to previous concerns about its master plan.
In 2015, park-goer concerns surfaced immediately when Caldwell announced the hiring a New York-based consulting firm to map renovation plans — and that new commercial features would be “on the table.” There were worries that eateries would clutter up green space — especially after the mayor said if it were all up to him, he’d want a reasonably priced restaurant where people could sit outside, listen to music, have a beer and enjoy the sunset.
In response, Caldwell has declared food service now will be limited to the two existing concession stands. Among other welcome moves are quick-fix improvements recently implemented or in the works, ranging from restroom upgrades to completion of the island’s first designated sand volleyball courts.
A draft environmental impact statement for the master plan is expected by the end of summer. Here’s hoping that city officials and others will forge a vision for Ala Moana’s future that’s both appealing and reflective of our “people’s park.”
