MEDIA RELEASE
The public is invited to join Mayor Billy Kenoi and Parks Director Bob Fitzgerald in honoring the community volunteers, private businesses and government agencies that restored the historic Kalakaua Park War Memorial Pond in downtown Hilo, the county Department of Parks and Recreation.
A public dedication ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 6. Refreshments will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to enjoy a picnic in their refurbished park.
“We’re delighted to announce completion of this important public-private partnership that successfully restored Kalakaua Park’s unique koi pond at minimal taxpayer cost,†Fitzgerald said. “The pond, which had not undergone a thorough draining and cleaning since 1989, is now beautiful due to the hard work of numerous people.â€
The Big Island Water Garden Club, B&B Pumping Service and GW Construction provided vital assistance with the restoration effort. Additional help came from the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center, which cared for the fish during the project’s cleaning phase, along with U.S. Army firefighters, the county Department of Public Works, and the Parks Department’s Maintenance Division.
With a capacity of more than 50,000 gallons, the koi pond was dedicated in 1948 as a permanent memorial to the 157 Hawaii Island residents who gave their lives during World War II. Later, plaques were added to honor military personnel who perished during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Completed in 1934, Kalakaua Park is named after King David Kalakaua, Hawai‘’s seventh monarch, who ruled from 1874 to 1891. Known as the “Merrie Monarch,†King Kalakaua read royal proclamations to cheering crowds gathered in the park, which also was the site of Hilo’s first courthouse.
The park’s distinctive sun dial, erected in 1877, was used for years to set the official time for maritime operations, island commerce and other activities.
