The folks who live in upscale Wailea are often considered privileged. Now their dogs can feel that way too.
Maui’s first off-leash, county-sanctioned dog park is being constructed at a newly developed part of Wailea Resort, off Kilohana Road, makai of Piilani Highway. The park will be totally enclosed by a five-foot high fence and will include a water fountain for dogs.
The $50,000 cost of readying the park was donated by developers, says Bud Pikrone, general manager of the Wailea Community Association.
The 60-by-120-foot dog park, part of a 13-acre field designated as a community park and owned by the county, is above a soccer field and has views to the ocean. “Grubbing out”—preparing the land—has already begun, says Pikrone. Work will include improving irrigation and installing picnic tables, barbeques, benches, a port-a-potty (all for humans) and a pathway, according to the WCA newsletter.
The new pet park is a breakthrough of sorts for the island. Maui has several unsanctioned, unofficial “dog parks”— public parks where owners exercise their pets. But dog owners are warned, via signs, to keep their pets on leashes or face fines.
Wailea employees will maintain and clean the Kilohana park, Pikrone says.
If Jocelyn Bouchard, chief executive officer of the Maui Humane Society, has her way, the Kilohana park will be the first, and smallest, of several off-leash dog parks on the island. Bouchard and a new, still-unnamed committee, is advocating the establishment of off-leash dog parks. For example, one park might be at Keonekai Park, already used evenings by dogs and their owners.
At Keonekai, the county supplies trashcans, water and pet clean-up bags, under a sign that reminds owners that dogs must be on leashes. Most owners let their dogs run free in the park.
“Dogs can socialize better off leash,” Bouchard says, “but in order to have a successful dog park, you need a lot more than just a piece of ground with a fence.”
Health and safety of both dogs and their owners is an issue.
“Some dog parks won’t allow children (under a certain age) at all,” she says, “and some won’t allow children over 12 without their parents.”
Other issues include access, irrigation, drainage, water and insurance coverage.
Honolulu has had a leash-free dog park at Diamond Head for several years. On state property, it is maintained and patrolled by volunteers.