Lincoln Park is located in downtown Hilo on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii, on the corner of Kinoole and Ponahawai, directly across from the Lincoln Tennis Courts. Also known as the Dr. Ruth E. Oda Playground, in honor of one of Hilo's beloved pediatricians. Lincoln Park is a small 1.34-acre community recreational park with playground equipment, park benches, two small pavilions, restroom facilities, and an open lawn area for general play. The playground equipment is suitable for keiki under age 10. There are numerous nearby restaurants. Free on-street parking is usually available at the park on Kinoole Street and on Ponahawai Street.

Over the past several years we have watched Lincoln Park turn from a beautifully renovated and welcoming children’s park to a lonely and neglected park where many children and families no longer feel welcome or safe.  This is in large part due to a man who uses the park as his “Yahweh Lincoln Park Ministry”. Over the past 5 years he has regularly parked his truck on Kinoole Street alongside the playground and claimed a section of the park lining the street with his propaganda.  His truck holds large obtrusive signs that display hate speech and violent images.  Recent signs have included an aborted bloody and cut-up fetus, murdered bodies, and hate speech against Muslims, Homosexuals, Transgender, and anyone in support of freedom of choice (abortion issue). These signs not only disturb the Aloha that surrounds our sweet park, they scare away many families from entering. The images pose a threat to the emotional and mental welfare of children who are subjected to those graphically violent images. Many people will not even drive on the section of Kinoole where his signs are located for fear of subjecting their children to the disturbing images. We have even heard from a tourist business that will not drive their patrons anywhere near the park for fear of creating a negative experience. We have seen numerous traffic accidents that nearly occurred due to the distraction and glare of the signs. The signs are huge, unavoidable, and create a visual distraction on the narrow and busy street that is frequented by cars and pedestrians alike. The man himself, James G Borden, is full of aggression and hate speech if approached. He has been known to yell at people if asked to take his signs down for their children’s well being. He has even been known to yell obscene names at young children. He has a Facebook page that displays him holding guns with a Holy Bible. There is an online video interview of him saying he is controlled by a higher being. This all contributes to the community’s concern for the safety and well being of our children at the playground, and it keeps parents from taking their families to Lincoln Park.

Simply put, we are urgently asking for our park back. Enough is enough! We are tax-paying families who help pay for the park. We are the majority. We are not against anything or anyone. We are FOR community unity, ALOHA, and a supportive environment for the keiki.  Lincoln Park must become a safe zone where children and their families are free to play. We urge you to make this possible, to help build a stronger community. We are willing to puts our heads together for resolution in a community meeting or whatever means you deem necessary. Some of our ideas include placing parking time limits, or creating a buffer zone free of hate-speech. Please help us take back our park. We cannot do it without your Kōkua and Kuleana.