Welcome
Make a donation to Centennial Park Waikīkī below
Or, complete and mail in the Pledge Form.
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Please visit the City and County of Honolulu
Department of Parks and Recreation
at https://www.honolulu.gov/dpr for hours and park-related issues.
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July 1, 2025 - Phase 2 Construction update
Bob Sumpf organized our volunteer team to weed around the raised platform and to add vibrant purple and green rhoeo plants along the edge of the stage and around the perimeter rocks.
Phase 2, increment 3 construction is scheduled for later this year for the fence, gates and the finishing touches to the rock wall and landscaping. If you’d like to support the park with a financial contribution DONATE HERE.
Pictured below are team leaders Rob Hale, Bob Sumpf and Rick Towill.
A special mahalo to park neighbor Marco for lending his time and energy to the project.
February 7, 2025 – Phase 2 Construction update
seating was delivered and installed in the park, funded in part by a $10,000 AARP
Community Challenge grant from AARP Livable Communities.
The 27 granite pedestal seats are clustered along the walking path in different sections
of the park. The seats offer an elevated place to rest in the sun or in the shade, and are
intentionally placed to bring people closer together for conversation and social
engagement.
The next Phase 2 improvements planned for the park are sturdy metal fencing on top of
the exterior rock wall and lockable entrance gates on three sides to define the site and
improve security.
Fundraising continues to secure $250,000 for Phase 2 construction to complete the
park as a gift to the City & County for the benefit of residents, visitors and the entire
community.
You can help “Finish the Park” by making your donation today! DONATE HERE.
December 1, 2024 - Phase 2 Construction update
Our “Finish the Park” effort has made significant progress since March 2024, and the remaining construction increments are scheduled to start in 2025.
Our all-volunteer Rotary Centennial Park Committee is actively supervising the Phase 2 construction work and fundraising to secure $270,000 to complete the park. Please consider making a donation today, mahalo!
2024 Highlights
- Three large pōhaku (stones) were placed on site as a foundation for future donor recognition signs.
- The exterior rock wall surround, which will be the foundation for new metal fencing and define the park space, was completed on three sides.
- The raised platform, surrounded by natural boulders has been completed with a turf stage, an ADA accessible ramp and fresh landscaping.
- Regular volunteer assistance with park beautification and snail pest control is on-going, generously provided by participants in Responsive Caregivers of Hawai‘i’s adult day program for persons with developmental disabilities.
2025 - 2026 Installation Plans
- 27 granite pedestal stools in clusters throughout the park.
- New metal perimeter fencing with three lockable entrance gates.
- Historic, educational and donor recognition signage and additional landscaping will be installed subsequent to the completion of the fencing.
Your engagement and participation will positively impact residents and visitors to the park for years to come. Mahalo!
Wishing you a very happy and healthy holiday season,
Pōhaku Delivery |
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Raised Platform (ramp under construction) |
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Raised Platform Completed (front view) |
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Raised Platform Completed (back view) |
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Rotary Club of Honolulu Volunteer Work Crew at the Park |
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March 1, 2024
The building permits for Phase 2 were obtained in February 2023 and with that milestone accomplished, we updated our budget. The revised budget showed that we needed to raise another $660,000 to complete the project. During 2023, more than half of that amount was raised in cash, pledges, grants, and in-kind donations, leaving us with $270,000 to secure in 2024. While the aim was to raise all of the money and then proceed, we have adjusted that approach due to the impact of the Maui fires on fundraising efforts.
We have broken Phase 2 into four increments:
- Construction of the surrounding rock wall;
- Completion of the raised performance platform and installation of pedestal seating;
- Metal fence and gates; and finally
- Signage.
We have the resources in hand for the first two and are actively fundraising for the balance of funding.
Construction of the rock wall began in early February and is expected to be completed by this spring. The second increment is planned to start this summer. We are hopeful that increment three of the work can proceed by the end of the year. Signage will follow.
March 1, 2023
- Installation of pedestal stool seats;
- Completion of a raised platform with ADA access for free public performances, cultural and educational activities.
- Decorative, lockable entrance gates on three sides of the park.
- An exterior rock wall surround topped with a metal fence to define the park space.
- Design, manufacture and installation of historic, educational and donor recognition signage.
- The design/build, look and materials for the fence and gates will vary, based on market conditions at the time of construction. We have received the required grading permit and the State Historical Preservation Division (SHPD ) approval to complete the raised platform, install the seating, rock wall, decorative fence and gates.
- Hawaiian History and Interpretive Signage
- Early Hawaiian history places this site atop the boundary of the cultivated taro fields and the ali‘i lands of Waikīkī. During the required archeological inventory survey conducted in 2019, an earthen kuāuna (wall or stream bank) was discovered under the park site that originally separated ali‘i lands from agricultural lands (taro lo‘i).
- The kuāuna, which is now underground, crosses the park site. A kahawai (stream) and marshland with cultivated taro patches and other products extended from the kahawai’s mauka edge up into Mānoa and Pālolo valleys. In the 1800s, these areas were converted to rice production. The makai lands occupied by the ali‘i were used for coconut groves and fish ponds
- In addition to our Rotary stories, the Centennial Park Waikīkī Committee is working with the Hawaiian community to curate authentic mo‘ōlelo (stories) about the area on which the park is situated, which is rich with Native Hawaiian history.
- We are planning to share these stories on bi-lingual signage throughout the park so that everyone can learn more about our island home.
The Phase 2 construction permit from the City & County of Honolulu was approved on February 22, 2023!
February 1, 2021: Opening Day at Centennial Park Waikīkī, Phase 1 construction completed
Despite the pandemic, 2020-2021 were years of great accomplishment for Centennial Park Waikīkī as Phase 1 construction, which created the green pocket park from a debris-littered vacant lot, was completed. Phase 1 included clearing and grading the site, planting of major trees, greenery and sod, pouring and finishing the concrete interior walkway, installing piping for underground electricity and sprinklers, and partial construction of the raised platform for community use.
The nearly one-acre lot is now home to flourishing monkey pod trees, coconut palms and other City-approved trees and a wide grass lawn. The site is nicely landscaped with shrubs and flowering plants and regular weeding activities help the plantings thrive.
Centennial Park Waikīki officially opened to the public on February 1, 2021. Since then, every day, neighbors and visitors alike are enjoying the space, including families with infants and toddlers, friends tossing balls, folks exercising around the loop, yoga and martial art practitioners, and people who have just come to enjoy a cup of coffee in the fresh air. Young families gather to play on the grass late in the day, while older residents use the walking path mostly in the morning.
The park is helping to build social structures for the local community of approximately 32,000 residents, of which a high number are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families. During the height of the pandemic, the park became, and remains, a critical outdoor recreation area for residents, especially for those who live in the small condos in the neighboring high rise buildings surrounding the park.
The City & County of Honolulu Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for maintenance, and we are augmenting what they do through our volunteer Park Care Committee. Since August 2021, this committee of Rotarians, led by volunteers from the Rotary Club of Honolulu, park neighbors and friends have been removing weeds from the park fence and plant beds on regularly scheduled, organized workdays.
A Green Oasis in Waikīkī
The Vision
The vision for Centennial Park described is subject to changes which may be dictated or required by the City and County of Honolulu, the city’s permitting process, and coordination with other government agencies, cultural advisers, fundraising or because of unforeseen circumstances or conditions.
The View
Upon arrival, visitors to Centennial Park will note the beautifully fenced perimeter, the gated entry and the secure metal fencing atop a stone wall, which will surround the park on all sides. This stylish accent will provide security in the evenings and view-ability during the day.
Once inside, park users will stroll the concrete walking path, surrounded by coconut palms, expansive shade trees, landscaped foliage, historic signage, and pedestal seats. A raised platform, surrounded by natural boulders, will be available for performances, cultural and educational events.
We expect that people of all ages and abilities will be able to enjoy the park, however dog-walking and other animals are not permitted in this park.
The History
During the pre-construction site inspection, the archaeology team located a large “kuana” (wall or stream bank) under the park site that originally separated Ali‘i lands from agricultural lands (taro lo‘i). This unusual discovery and its historic context and significance will be highlighted with signage.
The Gardens
In the true spirit of Rotary, the perimeter garden areas have been planted by Rotarians from many Clubs, under the watchful eye of professional landscaping experts. A combination of species have been selected and approved by the City to provide a lush and colorful ground cover.
The sense of unity in the creation of Centennial Park Waikīkī represents Rotary’s international mission of bringing people together to promote peace, humanity and the spirit of “Service Above Self”.
The Grand Lawn
Centennial Park is the only open, green space within central Waikīkī. The expansive lawn allows room for children to run, play and enjoy quality time with family and friends. Monkey pod and palm trees, along with new plantings provide shade and comfort for picnics and leisure activities. For over 100 years Rotarians have dedicated themselves to bettering the lives of children and families. Centennial Park Waikīkī is a testament to the Rotarian commitment of making a better world.
The Legacy
Once Phase 2 construction is complete, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for residents and Rotarians in Hawaii will result in a timeless legacy for our community as well as the millions of families and individuals who visit O‘ahu.
Centennial Park Waikīkī exemplifies the virtues of Rotary and offers an historic gathering place of knowledge. Its construction represents the commitment to achieve meaningful, positive change within a community. Its landscaped grounds provide an oasis for children to run, play and enjoy the freedom and fancy of childhood. Its signage will share the story of Rotary's impact in Hawaii and the amazing changes in Waikīkī over the past 100 years.
Finally, the hand planted foliage lining the park perimeter signify the coming together of volunteer Rotarians from many Clubs in Hawaii and their friends and neighbors.
The dedication of community individuals in this unifying effort have transformed a littered, barren patch of earth into a beautiful gathering place for future generations to learn, thrive and enjoy!
We welcome your continued assistance to maintain this beautiful community gathering place.
To donate or offer in-kind support toward the Phase 2 construction of Centennial Park Waikīkī, please use the pledge form, donate online, or contact Rob Hale, Chair, Centennial Park Committee at the Rotary Club of Honolulu, 808-457-6356.
Tax-deductible donations and your pledge form may be mailed to: District 5000 Foundation Centennial Park, c/o Rotary Club of Honolulu, 705 Queen St., Honolulu, HI 96813.
To donate, CLICK HERE.