Skateplaza Coalition launches fundraiser video

"Local skateboarders get jail time," read the headline published in Big Island Weekly this past June. The article, written by Ke Kalahea's own Tiffany Edwards Hunt, detailed the account of six young men who were arrested for doing just as the headline said: skateboarding, and doing so in a restricted area.

The Hilo Skateplaza Coalition, a group founded by Oasis Skateshopowner Dan Madsen, his business partner Jeremy Hale and several other concerned activists, is seeking to change this. The group, which has been active for just over a year, is gaining momentum due, in part, to a promotional video released recently.

The aim of this promotional effort is to gain support to build a community "skateplaza." As opposed to a standard "skatepark," the plaza would include facilities to accommodate other types of recreation as well. The park's prospective plans will also provide facilities to the growing number of female athletes who take part in Hilo's growing roller derby community.

"The plaza-style facility will not only cater to skateboarders; Current conceptual plans include a rink for roller derby and roller hockey, a keiki playground, bbq area, pavilion, stage for cultural events, all within a harmoniously landscaped park setting," said Madsen. Paradise Roller Girl "Smash Yo Face" Stace also specified that plans include a covered facility. This would make skating much safer and more feasible in Hilo's rainy climate.

Fellow derby girl Holly Zimmerman added that it will be nice to have a skatepark available for her young son. They reside in Volcano, but the skatepark there has been closed for some time. In addition, derby members with children, such as Zimmerman, will be able to practice at ease in the planned park, with space for their kids to play safely on the grounds nearby.

The coalition, along with supporters, are firm in one thing: The idea is to get kids off the street, creating a safe gathering place where skateboarding is accepted, not prohibited.

"A skatepark is a safe, controlled, community gathering place. The skateboarders are always looking for a place to ride and a skatepark is the utopia," Madsen said.

Plans for the park include "25,000 feet of skate-able concrete.

"We currently have an excellent core…however, we need more volunteers to step up and take part in setting up fundraisers and other related events. I believe the best way to focus our energy at this juncture is to seek out appropriate grants and target corporate donors. We need volunteers to help us with this, [and] writers to help us complete grant applications," Madsen said.

Madsen also sends a message to prospective park users.

"If you plan to use this facility, don't rely on us to build it for you," he said. "We are doing the best we can but we need the help of the entire community."

When it comes to the community, Coalition members are rejoicing at recent headway, bringing the County of Hawai'i Parks and Recreation, police officers, the County Council, and Mayor Kenoi on board with their support.

On the negative connotations of skateboarding, Lieutenant Albert Cortez of the Hawaii Police Department said, "There's a serious shortage of positive activities for kids—there's a lot of negative things, but the thing is to outweigh the negative and this would be a step in the right direction…when there's enough partnership and follow-through, only good things will come of it…it can only be good."

Councilman Dennis "Fresh" Onishi said, "I always was in support of a skatepark in Hilo. To me it's like a playground. What's the difference between a skatepark and a playground?"

Mayor Kenoi is pleased with the efforts he's seen so far.

"Just as important as playgrounds, basketball courts…a skatepark takes a segment of our kids…and we have to engage them in positive, drug free, recreational activities. What's really rewarding for us in government is watching the community and the kids get involved. The skaters didn't say, ‘give us this so we can do that' they said ‘we're gonna meet you halfway, we're gonna do our own fundraising, we're gonna ask the community to volunteer and help build it, ask for donations and support,'" said Kenoi.