Wahiawā Skate Plaza

Location

Wahiawā District Park
1129 Kilani Ave, Wahiawa, HI 96786

Hours

Mon - Fri | 5am - 10pm

Objectives

Create modern skate plaza
2 Phase development

Status

Fundraising and Approval Phase

Project Report

Ho‘oulu Wahiawā, in partnership with ASH, is working to develop a new state-of-the-art skate plaza in Wahiawā. The project will transform underutilized park space into a safe, inclusive, and culturally grounded recreational facility for local youth, families, and residents. Designed for all skill levels, the proposed 15,000-square-foot skate plaza will provide a much-needed community asset in a region with limited recreational infrastructure and a growing need for healthy, structured, youth-centered spaces.

Vision

To create a state-of-the-art skate plaza in Wahiawā, Hawai‘i, fostering creativity, community connection, and health for local youth and residents.

Mission

To provide an accessible and safe recreational outlet for Wahiawā’s underserved population while promoting active lifestyles, community engagement, and youth empowerment.

Funding Needs

Engineer’s Estimate

  • Phase 1: $513,000

  • Phase 2: $233,000

These estimates represent the current projected development costs for the skate plaza project.

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Project Scope

The proposed project would transform underutilized space at Wahiawā District Park, fronting the gym, into a safe, modern skate plaza, greatly expanding the current facility, now the smallest skatepark on Oʻahu. Designed for all skill levels, the new plaza will incorporate artistic and cultural elements inspired by Wahiawā’s identity as the piko of Oʻahu, while also integrating eco-friendly materials and stormwater management features.

Project Site

The new facility would significantly expand the existing skate area, which is currently the smallest skatepark on O‘ahu.

  • Location: Wahiawā District Park, fronting the gym

  • Site Condition: Underutilized park space

  • Proposed Size: Approximately 15,000 sq. ft.

  • Current Facility Size: Approximately 3,370 sq. ft.

Project Features

The proposed skate plaza is being designed to:

  • Serve all skill levels, from beginner to advanced

  • Provide a safe and modern recreational environment

  • Incorporate artistic and cultural elements inspired by Wahiawā’s identity as the “piko” (center) of O‘ahu

  • Utilize eco-friendly materials

  • Integrate stormwater management features

Why Wahiawā ?

Wahiawā is a diverse community with clear need for increased recreational investment.

Community Need

  • The current skatepark is the smallest on the island

  • Existing metal ramps are aging and show signs of rust

  • Median household income is below the state average

  • Wahiawā has a higher percentage of youth than neighboring communities

  • The area has limited access to safe, structured youth recreation

Community Challenges

  • Limited outlets for healthy youth activity

  • Need for more inclusive spaces that bring residents together

  • Ongoing concerns related to adolescent health, including physical inactivity and mental well-being

Why a Skate Plaza ?

Skateboarding is a low-barrier, high-impact recreational activity that supports physical health, confidence, and community engagement.

Health Benefits

  • Promotes cardiovascular health, coordination, and overall fitness

  • Encourages outdoor activity and reduces screen time

  • Supports active lifestyles for youth and young adults

Mental and Social Benefits

  • Helps reduce stress and anxiety through active participation

  • Builds resilience, focus, and problem-solving skills

  • Creates opportunities for belonging, peer connection, and positive youth development

Community Benefits

  • Functions as an inclusive, multicultural gathering space

  • Activates public land in a positive and constructive way

  • Creates a community-centered environment for youth and families

Supporting Data

  • According to the Tony Hawk Foundation, 77% of public skateparks are free to use and primarily serve low-income youth

  • Communities with skateparks report a 20% reduction in unsupervised youth loitering

    These findings support the value of skateparks as accessible community infrastructure with measurable youth and neighborhood benefits.

Critical Partnerships

This project is being advanced through collaboration among:

  • Ho‘oulu Wahiawā

  • Association of Skateboarders in Hawai‘i (ASH)

  • City and County of Honolulu

  • Local businesses

  • Community organizations

  • Individual sponsors and donors

Project Road Map

1. Planning

  • Site assessment

  • Community input

  • Design consultation

Timeline: 0–5 months
Budget: TBA

2. Fundraising

  • Corporate sponsorships

  • Grant applications

  • Community fundraising events

Timeline: 3–6 months
Budget: TBA

3. Development

  • Construction

  • Materials procurement

Timeline: 6–12 months
Budget: TBA

4. Launch

  • Opening event

  • Skate contests

  • Professional skate demonstrations

Timeline: 12–15 months
Budget: TBA

Opportunity for Donors

Donor support will help make possible a major investment in Wahiawā’s youth and public spaces. Contributions toward the Wahiawā Skate Plaza Project will support the development of a safe, inclusive, and lasting recreational resource that benefits the broader community.

This project is an opportunity to:

  • Expand access to healthy recreation

  • Invest in youth empowerment

  • Strengthen community identity and pride

  • Transform underused public space into a meaningful neighborhood asset

Conclusion

The Wahiawā Skate Plaza Project is a community-driven effort to meet a real and growing need. By replacing an outdated and undersized facility with a modern, inclusive skate plaza, this project will create lasting value for Wahiawā residents and future generations.

With donor partnership, this vision can become a transformational public resource for Central O‘ahu.

Help push this skate park projects forward.

Donate