Mayor Billy Kenoi joined the keiki of Waiakea Uka Park’s Summer Fun program for a photo on their first day of the program. (Photo courtesy of the Mayor's Office)

MEDIA RELEASE

A renovated and expanded Waiākea Uka Park and Stanley Costales Gymnasium was rededicated during a public ceremony Thursday morning in Hilo.

Mayor Billy Kenoi, Hilo Councilman J Yoshimoto, Parks Director Bob Fitzgerald, and Housing & Community Development Director Steve Arnett joined the Costales family, members of the Waiakea Uka community, and about 100 children attending the first day of the county’s Summer Fun program for the ceremony, held in the newly renovated gymnasium.

The morning began with a blessing by Pastor Sheldon Lacsina of New Hope Christian Fellowship.

Yoshimoto presented Roberta Costales, the widow of Stanley Costales, with a framed copy of a 2002 Hawaii County ordinance officially naming the gymnasium after the standout athlete who in 1951 signed a professional baseball contract to play shortstop for the Cleveland Indians. He also worked for Department of Parks and Recreation from 1969 to 1987.

“Stanley was a great athlete because of this gym,” his widow said.

The gym and park have undergone a $1 million renovation that included adding aluminum bleachers inside the gym and at both ball fields, all of which are now connected by paved walkways meeting federal accessibility requirements.

Also, a new roof was installed atop both the gym and annex building, the gym’s bathrooms were renovated and made to meet accessibly standards, the parking lot was paved, and a new parking area added to accommodate more park users.

GW Construction performed the work under a $1,032,376 contract financed with a combination of county bond proceeds and a federal community block grant. Construction started in January.

Much of the work exceeded contractual requirements, Kenoi said in publicly thanking the contractor. For example, instead of refurbishing the existing gymnasium roof, GW Construction replaced it for the cost of materials, while donating the labor.

GW Construction also joined Kenoi’s office and Yoshimoto’s office in providing refreshments for the rededication ceremony.

“That’s from growing up in the area,” he said of owners Gerald and Wendy Yamada’s generosity.

Kenoi also praised the Parks Department’s recreational staff, community members and others who worked tirelessly to complete the improvements.

“I’m just here to say thank you. Thank you to all the people who came together to make it happen,” he said.

Kenoi shared with the children in attendance the secrets to success.

“Don’t forget now, guys,” he said. “Dream big, work hard, never give up, and treat everyone with aloha.”

Parks & Recreation Director Bob Fitzgerald, Waiakea Uka Athletic Association President Jeff Cabral, and Mayor Billy Kenoi at the rededication ceremony. (Photo courtesy of the Mayor's Office)