MEDIA RELEASE

The county Department of Parks and Recreation has announced the installation of new children’s playground equipment at both Waiakea-Uka and Gilbert Carvalho parks in Hilo.

Construction work started Jan. 21, at Waiakea-Uka Park located at 1200 Ainaola Drive.

Beginning Feb. 20, work will shift to Gilbert Carvalho Park located at 850 Waianuenue Avenue.

Both parks will remain open for public use during the construction phase.

However, the parks’ existing playgrounds will be removed and therefore unavailable for use. To protect the public, work areas will be fenced in. Park users are advised to be aware of construction activities and equipment at both sites.

—

HI-PAL Winter Basketball Classic Skills Challenge Winners

Hawaii’s premier youth basketball players displayed their talents during the Kevin Kaiea Pavel Skills Challenge as Hilo as part of the 33rd Annual HI- PAL Winter Basketball Classic.

Named in honor of the former Hilo basketball player who lost a battle with cancer on Christmas morning 2007, the Skills Challenge offered players the chance to compete in either the Hot-Shot or 3-Point Shooting events held at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

Tournament sponsors the Hawaii Police Department’s Hawaii Isle Police Activities League, or HI-PAL, and the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation wish to congratulate the following Skills Challenge age-group winners:

* 3-Point Shooting Competition: 9/10-year-old boys: Koby Tabuyo-Kahele; Team Ballistic

* 9/10-year-old girls: no contestants

* 11/12-year-old boys: Kai Nafarrete; Team Honolulu Sharks Green

* 11/12-year-old girls: Tanniya Uchida; Team Stingrays

* 13/14-year-old boys: Jay Young; Team Honolulu Sharks Green

* 13/14-year-old girls: Mandi Kawaha; Team Wahine Ryder

Hot-Shot Competition:

* 9/10-year-old boys: Colby Casinas: Team Honolulu Sharks Gold

* 9/10-year-old girls: no contestants

* 11/12-year-old boys: Liko Soares; Team Honolulu Sharks Green *

* 11/12-year-old girls: Jamila Collins-Ebanez; Team Wahine Ryders

* 13/14-year-old boys: Elijah Dobson; Honolulu Sharks Green

* 13/14-year-old girls: Jaelina Wells; Team Wahine Ryders

The four-day Winter Basketball Classic attracted 49 teams from Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island.