Each issue was highlighted for discussion in its own booth where trained resident leaders were listeners and recorders of what other residents had to say about the problem and its potential solutions. There were also booths set up for people who speak other languages to express their opinions. Interestingly, the common thread in all of the booths was the need for a playground. Residents related a playground to health, safety, etc. The need for a playground became the single most important common goal to arise from the Talk Story.
Partnerships Tell the Story
Partnership has been the key word and action to making the playground possible. The initial partnership of the KPT Resident Association and the KH Resident Association with the Good Beginnings Alliance began expanding in the Spring of 2004. PACT Family Center, Aloha United Way and Island Recreation joined the effort and infused the project with momentum. Later on the other PACT programs joined the effort as well as a number of community stakeholders.
Three large community meetings laid the groundwork for the project. Since then working committees have planned the playground, explored safety issues, and begun fundraising for the project. A Core Planning Committee acts as the glue that holds the project together.
School Age (5-12) Playstructure
Ages 0-5 Playstructure
Mahalo to the Kuhio Playground Supporters
Funding from the Hawaii Community Foundation, Mo` Bettah Together grant, (and a CDBG grant from the City and County of Honolulu) has supported part-time staffing, resident training (community development training is also an on-going component of the project), and on-going costs of the project.
We would also like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to our playground funding sponsors, HMSA, the Atherton Family Foundation, Aloha United Way, Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii, PACT, Cooke Foundation, and NFL Charities their support in getting us more than half way to our funding goal of $172,000.00.
Kuhio Park Terrace Ground Blessing and Playground Dedication Day
Irv and Helenann Lauber
"Welcome
This playground is dedicated to
Helenann and Irving Lauber
who made our community a better
place to raise our Kieki."
Helenann Lauber
Helenann's career was at the Parents and Children Together's (PACT) Family Center that is located on the grounds of KPT/KH and she is much beloved by the community.
Irv Lauber
Irv Lauber's career at Aloha United Way spanned 14 years. He was responsible for expanding the agencies role of fundraiser to community builder.
A Note From Island Recreation
We at Island Recreation have been blessed with the opportunity to build hundreds of playgrounds in Hawaii and we have never met a child or a group of children that did not deserve a safe place to play. However, only on a rare occasion will we run across a unique situation like Kuhio Park Terrace/Kuhio Homes. With an under-12 child population greater than the enrollment of any public elementary school in the State, we are quite certain that Hawaii's largest public housing project is the island's largest group of children without a safe place to play.
Currently, children play in the housing elevators, streets, and nearby drainage ditches. We consider it an honor to donate our time and services to join with the good spirit and dedication of all Kuhio Park Terrace/Kuhio Homes residents and all the supporting agencies involved to provide a safe and enriching play environment for these very deserving children.
(12/21/04)