MEDIA RELEASE

Kona Skatepark Association is another step closer to realizing its goal of a skatepark for Kona, after learning it will receive a $5,000 grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation, an organization set up by the famed skateboarder that supports the creation of skate parks across the country.

The Tony Hawk Foundation Board of Directors met Wednesday, March 14 to deliberate and select this session’s awards. Only 12 communities in the country were selected for grant awards, totaling $100,000.

According to Jessie Wheeler, a Kona Skatepark Association director and long time advocate for a skatepark in Kona, “Having the Tony Hawk Foundation recognize Kona’s efforts in trying to get a skatepark built is very encouraging for our effort,” Wheeler said.

The Tony Hawk Foundation seeks to foster lasting improvements in society, with an emphasis on supporting and empowering youth.

Their grants encourage and facilitate the design, development, construction and operation of new quality skateboard parks and facilities located in higher risk communities in the United States.

To obtain the grant, the Kona Skatepark Association had to fulfill all of the foundation’s criteria – the park to be designed and built from poured concrete by qualified and experienced skatepark contractors and must be a free, public facility.

KSA also had to demonstrated a strong grassroots commitment to the project and strong local skater involvement, according to Cynthia Hope, treasurer of the KSA organization.

“We are very grateful for their support,” she said.