MEDIA RELEASE

Please join Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, County Councilwoman Maile David and other dignitaries for a public groundbreaking ceremony that will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, February 5, to commemorate the start of reconstructing the Honaunau Rodeo Arena.

The ceremony will be held at the rodeo arena located at 84-5134 Honaunau Road, which is approximately halfway between the Honaunau Post Office and the Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park. Refreshments and light pupu will be served.

With the strong support of Councilwoman David, Mayor Kenoi and the Department of Parks and Recreation are investing $5.1 million to rebuild the entire rodeo arena and allow for expanded public use. Plans call for constructing a new comfort station, judges’ stand, covered spectator stands, and paved parking stalls. New panels, pens, and in-fill material also will be installed. A new 2,000-square-foot pavilion with concession area will support rodeo events while doubling as a much-needed venue for South Kona residents to hold public meetings, private parties, and other functions. Finally, the entire facility will be made ADA-compliant, while a completely rebuilt water system will include new water spigots that will be made available for public use.

Isemoto Contracting Co. Ltd. is expected to finish the arena reconstruction by October 2016.

For more information, please contact the Department at 961-8311.