I found myself walking to UH Mānoa from my home in Kaimuki on one Sunday afternoon in mid August. Along the way to my destination is Kanewai Community Park and decided to stop here for a break.
Community Parks are always a good place for anybody, individuals, and families to get together away from stuff that may be causing them stress in this world. Parks and outdoor spaces are intended for the community to enjoy the outdoor space without having to be inundated with the worries of everyday life. It was nice to take a rest stop for about 45 minutes to refresh and rejuvenate before heading towards Ala Moana shopping center on foot. This community free space on Dole Street is always amazing and no cost to anyone who uses this space. The park itself is clean and maintained by the good folks at the city and county of Honolulu. I arrived here around 10am on a Sunday August morning and left close to 11am. Only thing about the city park system in 2020 is that it is closed to the public due to surging COVID-19 cases in the community, so the only thing I really did is sat on the rock wall facing the park like I was waiting for an uber, while wearing a face mask, and enjoyed the park in this manner until I can really use the park and its facilities whenever COVID-19 manages to go away from the human psyche. The best part of the Kanewai community park is that it's close to the University of Hawaii campus.
Kanewai community park is a nice space for rejuvenation of the soul, a place for physical activity, and a place to just get away from reality for a while, while managing social distancing protocols. It's amazing that you can do work here - as well as write yelp reviews if you wanted to, although you'd have to do it outside the park. The park is your office and it helps that the scenery of this park can help with such purpose. For the most part though, I enjoyed my time here at Kanewai community park every time I stroll through the University of Hawaii area via Dole Street. The overall experience here at Kanewai Community Park is awesome, casual, and quiet, even when I was looking from the outside in (during the most recent visit). The park is set in a quiet neighborhood and usually tucked away. You can't really see it if you're passing by. During my time here, I managed to draft a few yelp reviews here before heading out, which was nice to be productive here. There was a couple of people walking on the far side of the park that morning, enjoying themselves with their dog. It was nice to see the simple pleasures that COVID had taken away from us, even if it is temporarily. For the most part though, enjoyment of mother nature is a great thing, especially if you're used to staring at the computer screen at work all day. It's a hidden gem in the Kaimuki / University area. Come on by if you're in the area.
Kanewai community park is located at 2695 Dole Street in Honolulu. The park is more than a park, boasting athletic fields for team sports and a functioning swimming pool for public swimming and team events. Like all community parks, there is no admission fee to enter. Just be mindful to pick up after yourself and throw your trash in designated trash bins on property. Parking wise, your best bet would be the designated parking lot near the park's restrooms. If it's full, consider parking in available parking in the neighborhood via street parking. If you are like me, bus routes 13 and 18 come through the area and makes stops nearby. Routes 1, 1L, and 9 comes through on Waialae Avenue, but it's about ¼ mile walk via St Louis Drive and left on Dole Street. Regardless of why you come here, take a rest break and enjoy yourself here at Kanewai Community Park. Might just be the best thing ever you did for yourselves. Morther Nature is awesome this way, whether it is a trees in a park, the ocean, or towering mountains, she's always there to help set you free from the urban rat race we call life. Take a listen.
5.0 stars for the overall experience.
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