08/13/24 Unveiling marks newly renamed Howard Shima Likini Street Mini Park

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Nate Serota: (808) 768-3046

Unveiling marks newly renamed Howard Shima Likini Street Mini Park

Park renamed in honor of long-time community advocate, volunteer

Ethel Shima (seated front left) and Howard Shima (seated front middle) were joined by their 'ohana, Neighborhood Board members, State and City leaders at today's ceremony.

O'AHU - An unveiling ceremony this morning marked the renaming of Likini Street Mini Park in honor of long-time community volunteer and Salt Lake advocate, Howard Shima.

A Maui native and 56-year Salt Lake resident, Shima has contributed decades of service throughout his 97 years of age. After serving in the U.S. Army, Shima worked as a structural engineer and ultimately was named Director and Building Superintendent for the City and County of Honolulu under former Mayor Frank Fasi.

Along with serving on Neighborhood Board No. 18 for 24 years, Shima continued his civic work by volunteering throughout the Salt Lake neighborhood in ways big and small. Notably, Shima advocated for more park space in his neighborhood, playing an integral part in the development of Salt Lake District Park, its 50-meter pool, along with the park which now bears his name.

In addition to helping create park facilities and recreational opportunities, he personally dedicated himself to keeping parks clean and free of vandalism. Known as the "Graffiti Buster", Shima would often cruise his community's streets in his truck searching for graffiti to remove.

"When my daughter, Sharon, told me that the Neighborhood Board was proposing to name this park after me, I was shocked!" remarked Howard Shima at today's ceremony. "My love for this community has been an important part of my life. I am truly grateful to have raised my family here in Salt Lake. Working with my neighbors and helping this community grow has been one of my greatest joys. My wife, Ethel, has always been my mentor and inspiration. It was she who encouraged me to get involved in community service. I'm so glad that l learned from her example, and became more engaged in this wonderful community. I've cherished working side-by-side with my neighbors, including some of the attendees today. Thank you for this very special honor."

Exemplified through his own words, Howard is a devoted husband and father, supporting his wife Ethel and her numerous civic engagements and vice-versa. Her many accolades include being President of the Salt Lake Community Association, and assisting in the efforts to construct the Salt Lake-Moanalua Public Library. Today, both continued their volunteer duties as they were joined by their family members to toss genki balls (mud spheres containing billions of effective microorganisms intended to help remove pollutants from bodies of water) into the Salt Lake Waterway. They first explored potential solutions to resolve cleanliness issues with this waterway in 2003.

"Howard Shima and with his wife Ethel have been instrumental in building and shaping our Salt Lake community into what it is today," said Councilmember Radiant Cordero. "In renaming Likini Street Mini Park after Mr. Shima, we celebrate and recognize his 70-year legacy of volunteerism, his service to our country in the United States Army, his service to the City as Director and Building Superintendent, and his significant contributions to our Salt Lake community."

The park's name change was confirmed via City Council Resolution 24-167, authored by Councilmember Radiant Cordero. The nearly 1.3-acre mini-park features several passive park amenities such as tables, benches, and walking paths shaded by several large Monkeypod and Shower trees. It neighbors the Salt Lake Waterway and Salt Lake Municipal Parking Lot, which hosts one of the City's People's Open Markets every Saturday from 11:15 a.m. to 12 noon. For more information about these amazing and affordable open markets, please visit: bit.ly/peoplesmarkets

If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.

-PAU-

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