General Manager Jay Furfaro and fellow employees of Princeville at Hanalei were among those honoring over 80 volunteers who worked to upgrade structures at Kilauea Park at a dedication ceremony held recently, according to a press release. Princeville Utilities Company
General Manager Jay Furfaro and fellow employees of Princeville at Hanalei were among those honoring over 80 volunteers who worked to upgrade structures at Kilauea Park at a dedication ceremony held recently, according to a press release.
Princeville Utilities Company Inc. Manager Larry Dill offered the blessing and invocation at ceremonies at the park.
A plaque listing the names of all the volunteers will be donated by leaders of Princeville at Hanalei commemorating this successful community effort.
Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste and Eddie Sarita, the county’s Ho‘olokahi Program manager, were also on hand to thank the volunteers for their commitment and perseverance with this community park-improvement project.
The improvements were funded mainly through a $6,000 county grant and a $400 donation from members of the Princeville at Hanalei Employee Council.
In addition, Hale Kauai officials donated the hollow tile block, and community members donated sweat equity and various materials to rebuild the park dugouts.
This effort was started in 2003 by Jan Kimura, Gary Pacheco and Sarita, when they requested and received county funding.
The improvement project was off to a good start, however, for various reasons, improvement efforts eventually slowed down.
Then, in December 2004 Sarita enlisted the help of Damian Baptiste, Makai Golf Course maintenance superintendent, an active volunteer with the Lihu‘e Gateway beautification project.
Damian Baptiste’s involvement helped to build renewed interest in the project, and gather more volunteers.
Final work was completed in December 2005.
“If people could see what the dugouts used to look like and see what’s there now, they would be amazed at how good it looks,” said Sarita.
“This could not have happened if it weren’t for the many dedicated volunteers and their families,” Sarita said.
