Build a Multi-Sports Field at Malaekahana State Park for Koʻolauloa Youth

Koʻolauloa families are calling on state leaders to support the development of a multi-sports field at Malaekahana State Park to serve the growing needs of youth sports from Hauʻula to Kahuku.

Our community is rich in athletic talent and culture, and youth sports play a vital role in the development of our children. Programs such as rugby, soccer, baseball, and softball operate year-round, yet we face a serious shortage of fields.

Currently, Kahuku District Park is operating at maximum capacity, leaving many teams struggling to find adequate space to practice and compete.

While we are grateful for the upcoming improvements to Kahuku District Park, including the new swimming pool project, additional athletic fields are urgently needed to support the continued growth of our youth programs.

Baseball and Softball

Baseball and softball participation continues to grow within our community, but access to proper facilities remains a major obstacle.

At present, youth baseball teams and high school teams must compete for time on a single field. The situation is even more challenging for softball. The Kahuku High School softball team has had to practice at Hauʻula Park playground, wich, while maintained, was not designed to meet regulation softball needs.

Our athletes deserve safe and appropriate facilities where they can properly train and compete.

Soccer

Soccer development in our district is also limited by the lack of available fields.

Due to current permit allocations at Kahuku District Park, AYSO soccer is only able to host one active season per year, typically in the fall. Many other AYSO leagues across Oʻahu operate year-round programs, placing Koʻolauloa children at a disadvantage compared to their island peers.

Importantly, soccer and rugby fields are compatible in size and layout, meaning both sports can successfully share the same field — a model already used in many countries around the world.

Rugby

Rugby is deeply rooted in Polynesian culture and our district is exceptionally rich in talent. Three of Oʻahu’s four rugby clubs are based in Koʻolauloa, yet the only full-size rugby field on the island is located at Kapiʻolani Park in Waikīkī.

Due to current field limitations at Kahuku District Park, rugby in our area is restricted to a single winter season, limiting opportunities for youth development.

Many of our local athletes go on to earn collegiate scholarships through rugby, yet the absence of a regulation-size field in our district has limited full-game play and hindered development for generations.

A proper rugby field with regulation goal posts — similar in structure to American football uprights — is essential to support the continued growth of this sport within our community.

Why Malaekahana State Park?

Malaekahana State Park is a central, accessible, and safe location for families across Koʻolauloa. It is also an ideal location because the park has the space and land necessary to thoughtfully develop a dedicated sports field area that can serve our growing youth programs.

Developing a multi-sports field here would help relieve pressure on existing facilities, while providing adequate space for multiple sports such as rugby, soccer, baseball, and softball to operate and grow. With the available land at Malaekahana, this area has the potential to become a well-planned community sports space that supports the athletic development and wellbeing of our keiki for generations to come.

The Benefits for Our Community

Providing additional athletic fields is about more than sports. Research consistently shows that student-athletes often excel academically while also benefiting from improved mental health, discipline, teamwork, and social development.

Our children deserve access to facilities that allow them to grow, compete, and pursue excellence in the sports they love.

Our Request

We respectfully ask state leaders, including the Department of Land and Natural Resources and our elected representatives, to explore and prioritize the development of a multi-sports field at Malaekahana State Park to serve the youth of Koʻolauloa.

Our request is simple:

A park and field space that truly meets the needs of our children and allows them to continue striving toward excellence.

By signing this petition, you are helping advocate for stronger opportunities, healthier lifestyles, and a brighter future for the youth of our community.

Please sign and share to support Koʻolauloa youth sports.