Thomas Square has been elevated a bit closer to the status it has deserved: a favored green oasis in the city, with its distinct historical context, the Hawaiian flag topping the new flagpole, now in plain view.

Tuesday was La Ho‘iho‘i Ea, marking the 175th anniversary of the return of sovereignty that this holiday commemorates. King Kamehameha III, Hawaii’s longest reigning monarch, welcomed the role of Britain’s Adm. Richard Thomas in the restoration of Hawaiian kingdom rule. Another officer’s rogue claim on the kingdom for the British crown was rebuffed after five months.

A new 12-foot sculpture of the king was installed as an enduring reminder of his stature: He was the one who brought the realm into the modern era of constitutional government. The park, named for the admiral, looks refreshed, with more improvements on the horizon.

It is a welcome reopening of a city asset, its first public park, and in a position that bridges two artistic attractions, the Honolulu Museum of Art and the Neal Blaisdell Center.

The coming months and years will be a test of balancing interests, as Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s administration rolls out its further vision for Thomas Square. The park should be better used than it had been, but should not become commercialized or so “activated” that it sacrifices its value as a quiet refuge for Honolulu residents.

This was the issue behind a fight between the mayor and members of the Honolulu City Council. The mayor had unveiled a plan for the square that sought to strengthen links between it and the museum on the mauka side and the NBC complex makai of South King Street.

Elements included a bandstand, or stage area, intended for regular use by the Royal Hawaiian Band, but also for a performance space for members of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra or other artists. There could be art showings on the Beretania Street side of the square, coordinated with the museum.

But perhaps the more controversial proposal was for a concession stand on the Victoria Street boundary, where food could be served. Plans to commercialize public spaces has raised hackles among some neighbors, both here and at Ala Moana Park.

In order to accomplish the upgrades to Thomas Square efficiently, the Caldwell administration had sought to transfer the square to the supervision of the Department of Enterprise Services, the same agency that oversees the NBC and the city’s other rental venues.

The Council adopted a resolution in opposition to the transfer, a message that was received loud and clear. Instead of transferring the property, Enterprise Services signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Parks and Recreation to handle much of the maintenance and security needs for the square, using NBC crews.

However, Guy Kaulukukui, Enterprise Services director, said the parks department still retains the control over permits issued for Thomas Square events — rightly, as this will help ensure that its park character is not overwhelmed by all-consuming events.

Meanwhile, $4.7 million is alloted for design and construction of further improvements over the next year. These include restoring the diagonal paths that re-establish the Union Jack walkway pattern, fountain improvements, lighting of the walkways and the central banyan tree, pedestals for art installations, new benches and trash receptacles, paving, landscaping and construction of a maintenance storage building.

There will be a hardened surface for food trucks on the Victoria Street side, but no permanent concession, and no stage — yet.

The administration hopes to win over the public to its larger vision over time. Time will tell if that succeeds, but in the meantime, it’s wonderful to have Thomas Square back, and more welcoming than ever.