Illegal skate park near Leleiwi Point

HILO — Dustin Owens says he didn’t think anyone would notice when he and a few other skaters built ramps on a concrete slab tucked away in the brush near Leleiwi Point.

But they could face fines after it was discovered the slab is part of the foundation of the former Puumaile Hospital.

Hawaii County Parks and Recreation Department has told them to halt skating and ramp building, and their actions are being reviewed by the state Historic Preservation Division.

“People were just going back there doing drugs all the time,” he said Friday. “They still do it but not as much because I’m always there and they turn around.”

Despite the county telling them to put up a fence and keep out, Owens said he and other skaters are still using the ramps they built a few months ago.

Parks and Recreation Director Charmaine Kamaka said the issue came to her attention recently.

She said the area is under county jurisdiction, but her department is awaiting guidance from the state regarding how the concrete additions should be removed if needed.

A Department of Land and Natural Resources spokeswoman said the issue is being reviewed. The area is commonly called King’s Landing.

Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.