City to rebuild torched Sheridan playground, add Waianae, Aina Haina play spaces

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The City and County of Honolulu said construction to replace a torched Piʻikoi Street park playground will begin before the end of the year. Meanwhile, work on a play space in Waiʻanae will begin soon, while a playground in ʻĀina Haina is almost complete.

On June 30, 2025, the Honolulu Fire Department responded to a fire at Sheridan Community Park in Ala Moana.

The fire department later classified the fire as incendiary, meaning it was intentionally set, and an arson investigation was launched.

On Friday, the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) said the new, larger playground for Sheridan Community Park is designed with the “Aloha Garden” theme, rooted in Hawaiian values, environmental inspiration and community inclusivity. The play area features two playgrounds intended for keiki of different age groups.

Officials said the play area will offer a variety of colorful and island-inspired features, including:

• An engaging arrangement of: slides, bouncing spheres, monkey bars, climbing structures, and musical play elements
• Custom botanical towers with plumeria and monstera leaf designs
• Colorful resilient surfacing with kokiʻo (hibiscus) and ānuenue (rainbow) designs
• Panels with education and interactive play features
• A dedicated cycle path encompassing and connecting both playgrounds

The $850,000 park is expected to be completed in Spring 2027.

“Our parks and shared spaces are a true reflection of the communities they serve. So when the park’s previous playground was destroyed in a senseless act of vandalism, we knew the community would join us to get Sheridan Community Park back into a positive light,” said DPR Director Laura H. Thielen.

Brandon Seis pleaded guilty in July to third-degree arson in connection with the crime.

Seis’ sentencing is set for Nov. 9.

More play areas planned and underway

In Waiʻanae Valley, crews with Inspired Play Hawaii began initial work on the new Kaupuni Neighborhood Park.

The playground was planned with support from the community and members of the Waiʻanae Valley Homestead Community Association. It takes inspiration from the rich history, culture and kaialulu (community) of the Waiʻanae Valley Homestead.

The new playground replaces a playground that was located closer to Kaneaki Street. The old playground was removed about 15 years ago due to safety issues. The old playground’s fountain will be removed as part of another project, the city said.

Officials said the Kaupuni playground is intended to be inclusive and accessible for keiki to kupuna while remaining low maintenance and durable.

The city said it will include:

• Slides, climbing features, and spinning structures with a UV shade over the large apparatus
• Educational panels with information about kalo, ‘uala, poi, local marine life, the Hawaiian alphabet, and ahupua’a system
• Adult exercise equipment and benches
• Double swing set and other springy elements
• Resilient surfacing (bouncy flooring) with unique mauka and makai designs throughout

The city expects the $400,000 Kaupuni project to be finished and opened in early 2027.

“This project has been a long time coming, and after years of anticipation seeing this vision become a reality for our keiki and ʻohana is an inspiring and humbling milestone for our residents,” said Jan Makepa, president of the Waianae Valley Homestead Community Association.

Another playground in ʻĀina Haina, at Nehu Neighborhood Park, is expected to be completed in October 2026.

The city said the Nehu park draws inspiration from the Native Hawaiian ahupuaa system, specifically the loko ia, or Hawaiian fishponds, with local marine and plant life represented throughout the play area.

The new play area at Nehu will include:

• A playground with two slides and a double swing set
• A unique 40’ x 40’ resilient surfacing play area
• Benches and seating areas
• Educational signage along with accessible features and pathway

“Since play is the foundation of learning, we look at every design element as an opportunity to spark imagination, inspire curiosity, build confidence, and encourage social interaction,” said Danielle Sagum with Inspired Play Hawaii.

Officials said the new $394,000 playground replaces another playground that was also removed for safety reasons.

For more information on locations of city park playgrounds, swing sets, fitness stations and gymnasiums, visit the DPR’s interactive map here.