Growing up in the Midwest, Eric graduated from Chicago's Columbia College and began his broadcasting career as a news anchor-sports announcer at WSHW/WILO radio in Indiana. He later moved on to television and has devoted over a decade to working full-time at TV affiliates in several states across the country.
While it's locked up now, Oahu pet owners will apparently soon have a new location that allows their dogs to roam.
KAILUA, Hawaii (Island News) -- While it's locked up now, Oahu pet owners will apparently soon have a new location that allows their dogs to roam.
Plans are moving forward for an off-leash dog park on a vacant and private land site covering eight acres in Kailua. It's near the Safeway on Hamakua Drive.
Sen. Chris Lee said Friday, "We worked with A&B who's the current property owner they've agreed to donate it for community purposes."
Recent studies reportedly showed 80 percent of people surveyed were in favor of dog park in Kailua.
It's a team effort between the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), the Division of Parks, the City and County of Honolulu and others.
Kailua resident Susan Nagi told Island News, "I think we all need a dog park. I have a dog I love dogs, but this is a bird preserve, a nature preserve. I don't know why we're bringing dogs into a nature preserve."
At least half of the eight-acre site will be used as a dog park, the other half will involve restoring what is now invasive mangrove trees to native wetland habitat.
The project will move ahead after future surveys and more community meetings.
Alexander and Baldwin issued a statement Friday stating, "Six years ago, A&B committed to donating land along Hamakua Drive to the State for community uses. We are pleased to see this project advance and look forward to the transformation of this property into a special place for the Kailua community."
Lee put money in the State Budget and the project will cost roughly 3.8 million - the opening could be a couple years away.
Growing up in the Midwest, Eric graduated from Chicago's Columbia College and began his broadcasting career as a news anchor-sports announcer at WSHW/WILO radio in Indiana. He later moved on to television and has devoted over a decade to working full-time at TV affiliates in several states across the country.
