Hui 'Ilio Hawai'i started out as an informal group of dog owners who met through our dogs. We live in the Hawaii Kai area and got to know each other during our nightly dog walks. We've entered PetWalk (a Humane Society fundraiser) as a team for the past several years.

After becoming increasingly frustrated over the lack of places where we can take our dogs (there are no parks in Hawaii Kai where dogs are allowed - on- or off-leash), we decided we should do something about it. We held a meeting, and invited someone from the Neighborhood Board and the Department of Parks and Recreation to come and speak with us. They gave us

ideas and advice, and soon after that, we began investigating park sites.

Within a month, we'd put together a dog park proposal, which we took to the neighborhood board. They approved it! We are on our way, but there is still much work to be done before the park is "on the map". Because the City hasn't allocated capital funds for construction of the park, we are working to get business sponsors who can provide needed services (design, planning & construction) or who will help us raise capital to build the park.

But we we're not stopping there! While working on our park proposal, we heard about other dog groups who are lobbying for a dog park in their respective districts. Some of them are making good progress, others need help. We decided that we would do what we can to help other groups who are trying to get dog parks in their districts. On Oahu, 40% of all households own at least one dog. Dog parks are badly needed in all areas of the island. Our long-term goal is to promote dog parks all over Oahu, not just the one in our own backyard. Dog owners desperately need places where their dogs can exercise and socialize with other dogs. That's what keeps them friendly and well-behaved. It's what keeps them from developing behavioral problems.

It's the natural way that dogs should play!

We also want to use dog parks as a means of distributing educational information to dog owners, and to promote responsible dog ownership. We envision a network of volunteers from every dog park on Oahu getting together to discuss common challenges at our dog parks, how to solve problems and how to improve the parks. We'd like to coordinate special events like "dog licensing days" or "vet visitation days" at the parks. Perhaps we could invite someone from the City or the Humane Society to come and sell low-cost spay/neuter certificates. The list goes on and on. We will be continually looking for new volunteers to help with start-up projects, and to serve as "park rangers" after the new park is open.

Please contact us at hui-ilio@hawaii.rr.com if you'd like to join in our adventure!