Construction of new Wai‘anae playground begins as ‘Āina Haina play area nears completion

Rebuild of torched Sheridan Community Park playground expected to begin later in 2026

Efforts by the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) to create colorful, new, place-based playgrounds in your City parks are progressing, with construction underway for a new playground in Wai‘anae! In addition, a new play area in ‘Āina Haina is almost ready for community enjoyment, and plans to replace the torched playground at Sheridan Community Park are progressing.

Crews with Inspired Play Hawai‘i began initial work on a new playground at Kaupuni Neighborhood Park, located on Hawaiian Homestead land in Wai‘anae Valley. Planned with support from the community and members of the Wai‘anae Valley Homestead Community Association, the new playground’s design takes inspiration from the rich history, culture, and kaiāulu (community) of the Wai’anae Valley Homestead. The playground’s features are intended to be inclusive and accessible, for the young at heart from keiki to kūpuna, while remaining low maintenance and durable. They include:

• Slides, climbing features, and spinning structures with a UV shade over the large apparatus
• Educational panels with information about kalo, ‘uala, poi, local marine life, the Hawaiian alphabet, and ahupua’a system
• Adult exercise equipment and benches
• Double swing set and other springy elements
• Resilient surfacing (bouncy flooring) with unique mauka and makai designs throughout

This Kaupuni project is expected to be finished, and open to the public, in early 2027. The new playground serves as a replacement of a former playground, which was previously located closer to Kāne‘aki Street and removed some 15 years ago due to safety issues. The final remnants of the old playground’s foundation are expected to be removed at a later time as part of another project.

“Guided by the blessings of Ke Akua, the Waiʻanae Valley Homestead Community Association and its residents wish to thank key supporters of this project,” said Jan Makepa, President of the Waiʻanae Valley Homestead Community Association. “The Department of Hawaiian Homelands, the City and County of Honoluluʻs Department of Parks and Recreation, our district Councilmember, our State and local representatives, and our community. This project has been a long time coming, and after years of anticipation seeing this vision become a reality for our keiki and ʻohana is an inspiring and humbling milestone for our residents.”

Over in ‘Āina Haina, this new playground effort is nearing another milestone with the completion of the play area at Nehu Neighborhood Park expected later in October 2026. Like Kaupuni, the theme of the entire play area draws inspiration from the Native Hawaiian ahupua‘a system; specifically the loko i‘a or Hawaiian fishponds. This includes shoreline imagery, with local marine and plant life (such as honu and niu) represented throughout the play area.

The new play area at Nehu will include:

• A playground with two slides and a double swing set
• A unique 40’ x 40’ resilient surfacing play area
• Benches and seating area
• Educational signage along with accessible features and pathway
• Loads of other fun and engaging playground elements!

“At Nehu, we drew inspiration from the history of ʻĀina Haina and its traditional Hawaiian loko iʻa, weaving the area’s cultural and natural heritage into the play environment” said Danielle Sagum with Inspired Play Hawai‘i. “Since play is the foundation of learning, we look at every design element as an opportunity to spark imagination, inspire curiosity, build confidence, and encourage social interaction.”

Like Kaupuni, this play area at Nehu replaces a former playground previously located in another portion of the park, which was removed due to safety reasons.

In addition to creating new or refurbished play opportunities, this playground effort is also correcting previous crimes against the community within a new, larger playground planned for Sheridan Community Park on Pi‘ikoi Street. Designed with the “Aloha Garden” theme, rooted in Hawaiian values, environmental inspiration, and community inclusivity, this vibrant play area features two playgrounds intended for keiki of different age groups. These separate yet connected playgrounds will offer a variety of colorful and island-inspired features such as:

• An engaging arrangement of: slides, bouncing spheres, monkey bars, climbing structures, and musical play elements
• Custom botanical towers with plumeria and monstera leaf designs
• Colorful resilient surfacing with kokiʻo (hibiscus) and ānuenue (rainbow) designs
• Panels with education and interactive play features
• A dedicated cycle path encompassing and connecting both playgrounds

“Our parks and shared spaces are a true reflection of the communities they serve. So when the park’s previous playground was destroyed in a senseless act of vandalism, we knew the community would join us to get Sheridan Community Park back into a positive light,” said DPR Director Laura H. Thielen. “Not only does this new play area draw direction from the community’s desire to have two playgrounds for keiki of different age groups, its bright, energetic appearance invite keiki and their families back into the park. It really highlights the variety of recreational and educational opportunities we hope every park visitor can enjoy when visiting this treasured green space.”

Construction of the Sheridan play area is expected to begin before the end of 2026, with completion expected in Spring 2027.

All of these playgrounds aim to honor the islands’ native cultural identity, and help create a sense of place for keiki and park users through their form and function. In addition to the play areas’ unique designs, these projects are part of a streamlined and inclusive City park playground effort aimed at building new or reconstructing old park playgrounds at locations around O‘ahu.  

Once all three of these play areas are complete, DPR will manage 137 playgrounds and 15 swing sets around O‘ahu. For more information on the locations of City park playgrounds, swing sets, fitness stations, and gymnasiums please visit the department’s interactive Google map at: bit.ly/OahuPlaygrounds

These playground construction contracts were awarded to Inspired Play Hawai‘i through a competitive bidding process. The cost of those contracts is as follows:

• Nehu Neighborhood Park $394,000
• Kaupuni Neighborhood Park $400,000
• Sheridan Community Park $850,000

 If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.

—PAU—

Follow the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation online and on social media:

YouTube: bit.ly/DPRyoutube    Twitter: @honolulu_parks   Instagram: @honolulu_parks 

Facebook: facebook.com/honolulu.parks    Nextdoor: bit.ly/DPRnextdoor    

Website: honolulu.gov/parks

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