In a move that's sure to have tails wagging across Kaka‘ako, the brand new Kolowalu Dog Park is set to open its gates on February 8. Say goodbye to leashed walks and hello to unleashed frolics, because this park is designed for pups to roam free and socialize. Not just any run-of-the-mill enclosure, this doggy haven pays homage to Hawaiian culture, right down to the bilingual ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i and English signage welcoming visitors at the entrance for Hawaiian language month. Governor's Office of Hawaii dropped the details earlier this month.
The idea for a dog park was puppy-love at first sight for Ryan Tam, former chairperson of the Ala Moana-Kaka‘ako Neighborhood Board. The board threw a bone to the idea with a resolution, which eventually fetched support from the current board, area officials, and Governor Green. "We are very excited that this very special dog park can be enjoyed by the residents of and visitors to Kaka‘ako," Craig Nakamoto, executive director of the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority, enthused in a statement. The cultural bones of the park were crafted by local talents, including a durable fence and entry system designed by Hawaiian cultural practitioner Thomas Pohaku Stone, as stated by the Governor's Office of Hawaii.
It's not just about keeping Fido inside the lines, though. Cultural Practitioner Ramsey Taum added some cultural flair to the mix, "The gate systems themselves would protect the animals from going in and out, that takes inspiration from the Hawaiian mākāhā," he explained in an article by the Governor's Office of Hawaii. And a third practitioner chipped in, helping to incorporate a stone wall design that's as functional as it is a nod to traditional Hawaiian practices. Dogs and owners alike can appreciate the locally sourced stone benches, boulders, and wood elements scattered throughout the park for an extra layer of interactive enjoyment.
