A new off-leash dog park opened January 5 in Punahou Square, giving local pet owners a dedicated space for their dogs. It is the 11th dog park provided by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, with part of the park fully fenced for pets. The area features the shade of a large Moreton Bay Fig tree, offering a comfortable spot for dogs and their owners.
The DPR decided to create the park following a request from the Makiki-Tantalus Neighborhood Board #10. They settled on the roughly half-acre site at the corner of Punahou Street and Wilder Avenue, where the construction of the fencing alone cost nearly $57,000. This fenced area, on the '&Ewa;' (western) side of the park, was built by Allied Security Fence with support from in-house plumbers, masons, and maintenance workers according to the Department of Parks and Recreation.
"It is thrilling to offer new space for pooches and their kahu, especially amidst a bustling neighborhood such as Makiki," DPR Director Laura H. Thielen said in a statement reported by the City and County of Honolulu Department news release. She also mentioned that the department is looking to expand the inventory of dog parks on the island, with plans to announce the first round of new leashed dog parks sometime at the beginning of 2026.
Maintenance for the Punahou Square Off-Leash Dog Park is scheduled for Tuesday mornings, so dog owners should plan their visits accordingly. Honolulu’s previous off-leash park opened in December 2024 at Kahua O Waikalua Neighborhood Park in Kāne'ohe. The DPR provides information about all on- and off-leash parks on its website. Accessibility services, including auxiliary aids and language interpretation, are available for park events if requested at least three business days in advance.
