By Staff Reports
(O‘AHU) – An effort to rejuvenate the popular fields at the Waipi‘o Soccer Complex with extensive, coordinated work is expected to be finished this summer, just in time for several popular soccer tournaments. The ultimate goal of this effort is to increase the quality of these fields to tournament-level specifications by eradicating weeds, stimulating new grass growth, leveling uneven surfaces, and other repairs to all of the complex’s fields.
Beginning in late 2023, staff with the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) began assessing and addressing a variety of field maintenance issues at this well-used City park facility. This resulted in the commencement of a variety of improvement work, including:
- Irrigation repairs
- Backfilling holes/field cracks
- Topdressing and leveling
- Grass aeration and fertilizing
- Applying grass seed
- Deep comfort station (bathroom building) cleaning
- Water fountain maintenance
- Painting
In addition to this months-long work conducted by DPR staff, we are privileged to have volunteer and soccer league assistance with weed removal and basic leveling. Some of the notable organizations involved in this kākou effort include: Hawai‘i Rush Soccer Club, American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), the University of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Pacific University Soccer Teams, and the Hawai‘i Youth Soccer Association (HYSA).
Along with this combination of coordinated work, DPR staff worked with the regular park permittees and leagues to reduce use of the fields to allow the rejuvenated fields to rest. This included limited weekday practices and select closures to raise the quality of these fields to a level conducive for hosting large, international tournaments. These include the 2024 U.S. Youth Soccer West Regional Championship in June and the Hawai‘i International Cup in August.
While regular maintenance is conducted at Waipi‘o Soccer Complex, and all DPR fields, it is difficult to coordinate such extensive field rest and repair due to constant usage from year-round ideal weather. Looking ahead, DPR is considering a field maintenance and rotating, seasonal rest program, similar to the recently implemented plan at Patsy T. Mink Central O‘ahu Regional Park. Over the past two years, month-long closures of the entire complex were conducted in June.
We appreciate the assistance and cooperation of the soccer and Waipi‘o communities while this work was being conducted. As a result of the extensive work being tasked, the field conditions at the soccer complex were not ideal while the field rejuvenation was in progress. Mahalo for your patience and understanding while we work to complete this rejuvenation effort.
The Waipiʻo Soccer Complex is the first and only soccer facility of its kind in the State of Hawaiʻi with 21 regulation fields, including a 5,000-seat stadium with lights for evening events. The complex covers 288 acres and is designed to serve the 30,000 soccer players on Oʻahu and numerous others who are interested in scheduling international tournaments in Hawaiʻi. For more information visit the complex’s website at bit.ly/WaipioSoccer
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.