Rejoicing moments for Waiakea Uka as Hilo park resumes operations
Waiākea Uka Park in Hawaii County has reopened its doors to the community following a significant $12 million renovation and expansion project, completed in 2025. The revamped park now boasts a new 4,400-square-foot community center, expanded on-site parking, a walking path, and a reoriented lower ballfield with new facilities such as a concession building, comfort station, dugouts, and scorekeeper’s booth.
The newly constructed community center, with a capacity of approximately 180 people, is equipped with folding tables and chairs to support a variety of community activities, including senior and children’s programs, community meetings, and public gatherings. It can also serve as a temporary shelter in certain natural disaster situations.
Additional improvements made to the park include painting and refinishing at the Stanley Costales Waiākea Uka Gym, safety fencing and rehabilitation of the playground surfacing for children, and enhancing overall safety and usability.
The project, which began in May 2023, was a collaborative effort between the County of Hawai‘i and the State of Hawai‘i, with funding totalling $5.4 million from the County and $6.6 million from the State. The park officially reopened with a blessing ceremony in July 2025, attended by over 200 community members.
State Rep. Sue Keohokapu-Lee Loy called the updated park "the brainchild of Fresh Onishi," while Richard Onishi, a retired state representative, described the reopening as "a great day." Onishi played a significant role in acquiring the land for the parking lot. The lower parking lot of Waiakea Uka Park was previously owned by Hilo couple Archie and Marlene Hapai, who sold the land to the county at a reasonable price.
The updated park now serves as a potential community center and a place for people to seek shelter in case of flooding in the Waiakea Uka area. The project was built by Isemoto Contracting and includes a new community center, walking path, additional on-site parking, and a reoriented lower ballfield with new facilities.
The twin parking lots on both sides of the community center and Stanley Costales Waiakea Uka Gym alleviate a potentially dangerous parking shortage. The reopening event included a blessing, arts and crafts activities, food and refreshments, a volleyball clinic, and a baseball scrimmage, emphasizing the park's role in community engagement.
Mayor Kimo Alameda called the project "history in the making." The community center in Waiakea Uka Park can hold about 180 people and has a certified kitchen, and is available for rental at $100 a day. For facility reservations and more information, the Waiākea Uka Park recreation office can be contacted at 808-959-9474. Hawaii County celebrated the reopening of Waiakea Uka Park on Tuesday.
- The newly renovated Waiakea Uka Park now offers a variety of facilities suitable for multiple community activities, such as sports, senior programs, and public gatherings, even serving as a temporary shelter in certain natural disaster situations.
- The collaboration between the County of Hawai‘i and the State of Hawai‘i resulted in a significant upgrade to the park, including the addition of a community center equipped with a certified kitchen, which is available for rental at $100 a day.
- To ensure safety and ease of access, the project included the construction of twin parking lots on both sides of the community center and the Stanley Costales Waiakea Uka Gym, alleviating potential parking shortages; furthermore, the park now includes a walking path and home-and-garden areas for community members to enjoy.
