By Staff Reports
(HANAMĀ‘ULU) – In spite of the recent cool and windy weather, the attendees of the blessing of the Peter Rayno Sr. Park pavilion in Hanamā‘ulu were all smiles.
They had come to celebrate the completion of the volunteer-built project and felt exhilarated.
“It’s like a dream come true,” said Clifford Lee, a member of the senior softball team Hanamā‘ulu Hillsiders who had a vision of the structure about four years ago. “We sat down and imagined what the pavilion would be like. Then we proceeded to figure out how to make it happen.”
Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. and the Hanamā‘ulu Hillsiders (L to R – Clifford Lee, Kenneth “Tets” Tamashiro, Peter Rayno, Jr. and Angel Madrid) take a break from a discussion about the Peter Rayno Sr. Park Pavilion. The senior softball team spearheaded the community-built project.
Lee and other team members approached the county seeking support for the project and were awarded an $80,000 Ho‘olokahi grant through the Department of Parks and Recreation. The funding covered the cost of the materials, while the team provided the labor.
“This project serves as a model for the rest of the island,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. “It is an excellent example of how the collaboration between the community and the county can result in great things. I want to thank everyone who worked on the pavilion.”
Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. and Council Chair Mel Rapozo pose for a photo following the blessing of the Peter Rayno Sr. Park Pavilion, which was built by a senior softball team, the Hanamā‘ulu Hillsiders.
It took approximately four months for the Hillsiders and other teams from the Kaua‘i Senior Softball Association to build the 1,200-square-foot pavilion and make other improvements to the Peter Rayno Sr. Park including, installation of the irrigation system and walkways, construction of picnic tables, as well as enhancements to the grassy areas and fencing.
“It’s a great facility for the community,” remarked Council Chair Mel Rapozo. “I’d like to see more of this type of thing happen on the island, and I encourage other groups to follow in the footsteps of the Hillsiders.”