Ask the Mayor: Maintenance at Giggle Hill Park

Kalakupua Playground montage. Photos by Wendy Osher.

Q: We live in Haʻikū and frequent Giggle Hill Park. I know it was closed for a long time for being unsafe. Being that it’s a federal park, does it get any funds for maintenance and repair of the playground area? I know it was volunteer-based in the past, but it seems like it should be maintained regularly by professionals.

A: Mahalo for your question and I’m happy to hear you’re enjoying our parks! The 4th Marine Division Park, or Giggle Hill park, is actually owned and maintained by our Department of Parks and Recreation via a donation from Alexander & Baldwin – except for the Tom Morrow Equestrian Arena which is leased to a nonprofit organization.

The playground at the park was originally built by the community, thanks to a large volunteer effort. In 2013, the Department had to unfortunately close the playground due to safety concerns, but the Haiku Community Association stepped up to complete the repairs. The playground reopened in 2016 and the Haiku Community Association has been maintaining the playground with the County of Maui’s support.

We are always grateful for these public-private partnerships, which assist the Department with resources it doesn’t always have available. We want to extend a special mahalo to the Haiku Community Association for all they do to keep the Kalakapua Playground at Giggle Hill safe and enjoyable for the community!

For more information on the Haiku Community Association and the Kalakapua Playground, please visit https://haikumaui.org/.

Want to Ask the Mayor?

Submit your Maui County related questions to Mayor Michael Victorino by email at [email protected], by phone at 270-7855 or by mail at 200 S. High St., ninth floor, Wailuku 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column; to request a personal response to a concern, email [email protected].