Pearl City students’ dog‑park designs earn board backing and follow‑up with parks officials

Pearl City Neighborhood Board No. 21 on Jan. 26 adopted a resolution supporting participatory, community‑centered design after Pearl City High School students presented four concept proposals for an off‑leash dog park and related amenities.

Students from the high school’s agriculture and architecture classes walked board members through sketches, Revit site plans and 3‑D renderings showing separate big‑dog and small‑dog areas, double‑gate entries, water stations, benches and accessible pathways. One team estimated retail costs “just under $100,000,” while another produced a cost‑conscious plan with a retail estimate of about $27,934, presenters said.

“Thank you to all of you,” Vice Chair Charmaine Duran told the students after the presentations, noting the board had previously adopted a resolution in support of Hawaiian immersion and that it would likewise back community‑led facility design efforts. Gene Abano, the city’s director of facilities management, praised the students’ work and said he would “certainly now advocate for this to move forward.”

The neighborhood board’s adopted resolution asks the city and state to consider participatory design approaches for a swimming pool at Pearl City High School and to involve students and community members in future planning. Board members said parks and recreation and AKC representatives will be invited to follow‑on meetings to evaluate siting, shade concerns and event‑use (including dog shows).

The board presented certificates of recognition to the student teams and their teacher, Kyle Martin, and noted a follow‑up parks meeting will establish next steps for procurement, cost refinement and coordination with city departments. The board also encouraged cross‑department collaboration with the school’s construction and engineering programs to support fabrication and maintenance of park elements.

The resolution was moved, seconded and approved on a roll call vote (8 ayes, 0 nos, 1 abstain). The board said staff will coordinate with parks personnel and return with technical guidance and a timeline for possible selection and construction.