A’ala Park

Full of dangerous chronics and vagrants, in desperate need of police intervention. I don’t even go near Chinatown because this park and those people are so close. My daughter and I were in Chinatown today for the new year parade and were using the portapotties they had set up by the bridge to the park before we rode the bus back… On the way to the portapotties we had to literally get off the sidewalk because one vagrant with a shopping cart so full of shopping bags of junk and cans and other ripe smelling stuff it was taking up the entire sidewalk was walking around in circles for no reason. Then when we were in the toilet a man was walking up and down shouting and banging on the doors, screaming obscenities and threats. My daughter asked why he was mad, I shouted out the door to stop or I would call the cops. He proceeded to bang on our portapotty door and shout more obscenities and threats to me and my daughter. so I did call the police and waited about 10 minutes just to be safe before opening the door. It’s a sanitation and safety issue what is going on at this park.

Sadly, this has the potential to be a great urban park, but the unfortunate reality it is a dump that is filled with homeless and vagabonds littering, sleeping and camping out.

A’ala park is known for the homeless & that’s what I know it for. It is a big park! one side is gross & dirty, the other side is nicer. I came here 3 days ago & actually only parked in the parking lot. Seemed nice but I was on the nicer side by the basketball courts. I was in need of the bathroom & the building next to the courts was locked! Me having to go really bad, didn’t want to walk around the whole park just to find a bathroom. I ended up leaving to Zippys & coming back. I personally wouldn’t want my son at this park & rather much go to a different park.
But the side I was at was nice & seemed safer than the other side that I see when driving past it! I’ve seen a group of people playing the basketball courts & it was nice. I wouldn’t mind playing basketball here but that’s it. I wouldn’t want to come here for anything else.

A’ala Park was my playground when I was a little kid. At the age of 7 or 8 I would watch my baby brother and baby sister at the park while my mom went to the bakery. I remember I was pushing my little sister on the swing and somehow she fell down to the ground… ended up with a bloody mouth. I cleaned her up at the restroom and went back towards the swings. Next thing I see is my baby brother getting ready to cross the street almost getting hit by the car. I left my sister by the swing and rushed to get my brother. We all had to wait for my mom to get back so I can tell her what happened.
Besides that little incident… A’ala Park was a place for families to gather and have picnics. I remember when I was young I would come with my great grandma and walk the park. I would climb one of the trees and hang like a monkey. Sometimes I would grab some of the sticks and rub it together to make it smooth. For my great grandma… she would talk stories to the other kupunas in the area. I think there was the George Ariyoshi campaign gathering held at A’ala Park (I could be wrong on this). I think they used to have small hula shows or band performance by the stage area (I could be wrong on this as well) It helps that my great grandma lived within walking distance to the park. I miss those days. RIP Grandma Takao, love you and miss you plenty Grandma.
Nowadays A’ala Park is no longer safe for the children. There are a bunch of homeless people along the canal side as well as the sidewalk area.
Memories of the old days bring tears to my eyes.

The A’ala Park that I grew up running around in and enjoying with my family is a stark contrast to the A’ala Park we see today.
There were upgrades made throughout the years and the skate rink remains the same. You no longer see families with their children running around while enjoying a picnic or the kupuna’s gathering to talking story. A lot has changed and unfortunately, not for the better.
Large grassy area, walk ways and a restroom (though, I’m not sure if it is operational as I dare not to go near it) was and would be great place for children to run around it, BUT, I would not recommend it. The park is now riddled with Hawaii’s homeless, popping tents on the sidewalks, sleeping within the park during the day until they are forced to leave the park at night. Be careful here, broken glass and the smell of urine removes any sweet memories one may have had. Sad situation for those who played here as a child and would want to share those memories with their children, also sad for those who call the park home. Sad for some but for others Auwe!
Best to enjoy this park from afar.