New nonprofit leaseholder takes over Heeia State Park

Heeia State Park was closed temporarily at the end of April while a new nonprofit leaseholder took over park management. The Friends of Heeia had managed the park, but after its lease expired, the state put the lease out to bid and another nonprofit got the lease, Kamaaina Kids, which runs preschools, camps and sports academies on Oahu.

DLNR officials say Kamaaina Kids will take over all of park management, including mowing the lawn, cleaning the bathroom, painting utilities, opening and closing the gate. This will save the state a lot of money , according to Department of Land and Natural Resources assistant administrator Curt Cottrell. State officials say Kamaaina Kids also will pay the state 5 percent of their gross income from the park.

On April 26, officials switched locks and keys, did an inventory and checked the condition of park facilities. A tai chi organization arrived that morning and was turned away.  Ray Sanborn of Kamaaina Kids said, “We're going to work with them on Friday and continue the program, as with every community program that was at the park,” said.

Kamaaina Kids asked anyone with a scheduled a wedding or luau at the park to contact them. They say they will honor the dates, but the old lease holder took the records, so they need to know who is scheduled. Baby luaus and weddings will continue. There will be kayaking and other concessions.