O‘AHU – A blessing and ceremonial first pitch marked the reopening of a storied ballfield and popular park this weekend!
Thrown by Mayor Rick Blangiardi and caught by Councilmember Augie Tulba, the pitch signaled the beginning of an O‘ahu Babe Ruth League game between the New Era and Young Gunz teams at Hans L`Orange Neighborhood Park in Waipahū.
“Sports are deeply woven into the fabric of our island community, and when we can enhance our facilities and return them to the public, it’s a victory for everyone,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “This park and baseball field are not only integral to Waipahū and home to the HPU Sharks, but they also provide invaluable opportunities for our local teams. I’m especially thrilled to be here today for a game between two of the best youth baseball teams in the country. Congratulations to the New Era players on their recent World Series win, and to the Young Gunz for their remarkable success on the national stage.”
The youth baseball game marks the first official use of the field since it closed in January 2023 for a variety of improvements, including: expanding the parking lot by 75 stalls, renovating the comfort station, improving the field, upgrading electrical & lighting components, repairing the dugouts & bleachers, installing a new irrigation system, improving drainage systems, planting 27 trees, and landscaping.
These wide-ranging improvements were conducted through a Capital Improvement Project completed by Close Construction Inc. at a cost of roughly $4.2 million ($294,000 for the design, and $3.9 million for the construction) in addition to work from specialized maintenance and district park staff within the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation. The improvements were based on the Hans L’Orange Master Plan, inspired by input from community members.
The field also benefits from maintenance assistance from the Hawai‘i Pacific University men’s baseball team, the Sharks, who have called the field home to since 2006.
Councilmember Augie Tulba, who represents the area, is additionally hosting a Park Beautification Day on Saturday, October 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Hans L`Orange Neighborhood Park. Everyone is invited to take part in this community event. For more information, please call his office at (808) 768-5009 or email atulba@honolulu.gov
“The improvements and upgrades to Hans L’Orange have reignited Waipahū’s community pride and spirit,” said Councilmember Tulba. “Hans L`Orange Neighborhood Park is a historic gathering place for the Waipahū community, and we are excited to once again use this recreation space as a hub for families, friends, and neighbors to connect and strengthen the relationships across our district. My office has been partnering with businesses, nonprofits, and churches through an initiative called ‘Win Back Waipahū.’ We hope that through this effort, the community will join together to keep our district, including our parks, activated, clean, and safe for everyone.”
“Win Back Waipahū” is an initiative conceived by Councilmember Tulba to activate communities in addressing social issues, including houselessness. By empowering local-area leaders and business owners, the program seeks to tackle social challenges, enhance the well-being of its residents, and foster a vibrant, inclusive community through active participation.
The nearly seven-acre Hans L`Orange Neighborhood Park was transferred to the City in December 1968. The park underwent renovations in 2016, including upgrades to the irrigation system, field improvements, and expanding the foul territory in right field. Prior to that, it is estimated that it had been about two decades since significant upgrades were tasked. The park is named after a manager of the O‘ahu Sugar Company, who is said to have convinced his company to repurpose a portion of their cane fields for recreational purposes back in 1924.
We appreciate the patience of the community and baseball players as this park and its facilities were closed for approximately 20 months for the improvements.
If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.
—PAU—
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