Richardson Ocean Park and Center is open and fully accessible to the public after 19 months of construction.
The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation started closing various parts of the Keaukaha park in June 2022, which is when work began to bring the park into compliance with the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The work to make the beach more accessible included installing a concrete walkway to the beach with ramps, creating an accessible shower space and renovating the parking lot and comfort stations.
Parks and Rec on Tuesday morning held a blessing and official opening ceremony for the park.
Born and raised in Keaukaha, Isaiah Walker spoke to the crowd about the importance of access to the beach, because it is a sacred space perfect for education.
“Access is so important. There are still some local families living here, but most of the homes in Keaukaha have turned into vacation rentals,” Walker said. “Access to the ocean for local kids is increasingly difficult, but this brings me pleasure and hope that this will provide more access and educational opportunities for them.”
The work also included the complete renovation of Richardson Ocean Center, which has not been utilized by the public for years.
According to Mayor Mitch Roth, the renovation project cost $5 million and was the first time since 1920 that the park and center had a major restoration.
“For our administration, we’ve been looking at sustainability, and sustainability to me means the ability for our kids to raise their kids here in Hawaii,” Roth said. “We’re at a time in our history where there are more Hawaiians living out of state than in the state. We want to plant the seed and ask the question: What do we need to do to make sure our kids can stay here? And what can we do to make sure our Hawaiian kids want to stay here?”
Roth hopes that the ocean center and beach park will give kids more opportunity to connect with their home, which will help them appreciate their roots and history.
According to Recreation Specialist Kalani Kahalioumi, the ocean center can now be used as a space for ocean safety education and programs for keiki.
“It’s good that our kids can use this space to explore and learn different things. I am so grateful,” Kahalioumi said. “It’s not about what’s in the room, it’s about what the entire property has to offer. We have amazing educational opportunities for keiki and visitors. Everything is alive, and everything is abundant.”
Kahalioumi runs a keiki program, ‘Ike Kai, during the Department of Education’s spring, summer and fall breaks. The program give kids the chance to learn and experience everything the ocean has to offer in and out of the water.
There were three sessions last summer, when 25 kids in each session spent time learning about the sea, practicing ocean safety and spending time on traditional wa‘a, or canoes.
Those interested can register keiki, ages 9 to 12, for the ‘Ike Kai summer sessions beginning on Wednesday, May 8.
A program guide for other opportunities at Richardson Ocean Center will be available soon and can be found at parks.hawaiicounty.gov/facilities-parks/recreation.
After the blessing Tuesday, attendees were welcomed inside the center, where there was a Polynesian voyaging exhibit with artifacts, photos and displays from Bishop Museum.
“I grew up here and remember we could only look inside the center through the windows in the back,” said woodworker Kalau Spencer. “It’s amazing to be inside and see what this could be.”
Spencer made a model of the voyaging canoe Hokualaka‘i and provided it to the Richardson Ocean Center to be displayed for those visiting.
During the blessing, Kahalioumi made a point to thank everyone who had a hand in renovating and reopening the center and worked toward the goal of creating a space that will help kids explore and feel comfortable in the ocean.
“In the canoe, it’s impossible to sail alone. We use each other and help each other get to our destiny,” Kahalioumi said.
“You’d think I’d be relieved, but this is just the beginning of so many learning opportunities in here, but mostly out there,” he said later, pointing to the ocean.
The Richardson Ocean Center is open from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For details on upcoming recreation opportunities or ‘Ike Kai, call Kahalioumi during office hours at (808) 238-6566.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.