Department of Parks and Recreation

DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION​

Ka ʻOihana Mālama Pāka a me nā Hana Hoʻonanea

Renovations begin for gymnasium, recreation building at Whitmore Community Park

O‘AHU – From the roof to the parquet floor, renovations to the recreation building and Torao & Sumie Matsumoto Gymnasium at Whitmore Community Park are beginning this week. 

Renovations begin for gymnasium, recreation building at Whitmore Community Park

This construction project will improve these Central O‘ahu park facilities in several ways by: replacing the buildings’ roofs, renovating the gymnasium’s floors & walls, providing drainage improvements, and painting.

Both buildings and the surrounding parking lot will remain closed for the duration of the project, which is expected to be finished by Fall 2025. The nearby Whitmore Neighborhood Park, and its recreational facilities, are available during that time.

The $1,427,770 construction contract for the project was awarded to Molina Engineering, Ltd., with the $99,930 consultant contract awarded to WTN Architecture, Inc.

Opened to the public in November 1976, the 0.92-acre Whitmore Community Park is comprised primarily of these park buildings and the parking lot. It complements the 2.29-acre Whitmore Neighborhood Park, which opened in June 1965 and is located right across Whitmore Avenue. 

The park’s gymnasium was renamed in honor of Torao & Sumie Matsumoto following a renaming ceremony held in August 2017, and the passing of Honolulu City Council Resolution 10-291.

Plaque for Torao & Sumie Matsumoto Gymnasium at Whitmore Community Park

Following their marriage in 1921, Torao & Sumie Matsumoto worked at the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, living at the Kemoʻo Camp. Two years later they opened their first of many stores, balancing their expanding businesses while raising four sons. As prominent business owners, the Matsumoto’s extended credit to plantation workers and were known to often forgive the outstanding debts of struggling families.

Though they formally retired in the 1960s, Torao & Sumie both continued to be actively involved in their community as members of various organizations. In 1976 Torao was recognized by the City and County of Honolulu as an Outstanding Senior Citizen.

Torao and Sumie Matsumoto_Courtesy Matsumoto ‘Ohana
Torao and Sumie Matsumoto_Courtesy Matsumoto ‘Ohana

We appreciate the patience and understanding of the Whitmore community while these storied park facilities are closed for renovations.

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—

Follow the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation online and on social media:

YouTube: bit.ly/DPRyoutube    Twitter: @honolulu_parks   Instagram: @honolulu_parks 

Facebook: facebook.com/honolulu.parks    Nextdoor: bit.ly/DPRnextdoor    

Website: honolulu.gov/parks

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