Save Pali Lanes

HCR167 - urging Alexander & Baldwin to restore and reopen Pali Lanes bowling center. This is our message that we sent out to members of the House committee on Water & Land. Join us, write to YOUR elected officials and tell them to hold a hearing!

Aloha,

My name is Christian Arakawa. I am a founding member and the president of Team . For the past 6 years I have worked within the Kailua community to help save our communities gathering center, Pali Lanes. We fought tirelessly trying to save our bowling center. We worked with the Kailua Neighborhood board, the Honolulu City Council, the state legislator, local activists, the community, and much more to do so. We gathered enough evidence and support to be registered as a Hawaii Historical landmark. We had support from the bowling community across the country. In 2019 Professional Bowling Association (PBA) telecaster and hall of fame bowler, Randy Pedersen came to Pali Lanes, donated bowling gear to our youth program and gave a speech. We worked with schools, the special. Olympics of Hawaii, senior groups, local businesses, and much more.

I can continue to go on and on about our work, our support, about my committee, achievements we have made.

Me and my committee and full of dedicated local residents who will stop at nothing to save our communities gathering center. We are calling that HCR167 is scheduled for a hearing. I have talked to literally thousands of people since we started this campaign over 6 years ago.THe majority of the people want the bowling alley saved. To this day, I get calls and texts from people asking on updates and when the bowling center will reopen. I still get emails about people requesting reservations.

The people have spoken, we want Pali Lanes to be reopened. We want Alexander & Baldwin to be held accountable, we want them to speak publicly about their plans and decision. They said in a press release that they would “Preserve and keep bowling in Kailua”. Their most recent plans for the property seem to go against what they promised. But more importantly, it goes against what the community wants. They need to be held accountable.

Linda Ichiyama Representative Mahina Poepoe Representative Sonny Ganaden Mark Jun Hashem Dee Morikawa Representative Gregg Takayama Kanani Souza

One year ago, Pali Lanes closed forever. 365 days. The keys were handed over to Alexander & Baldwin (A&B) and the power to the property was disabled. For one year the property has sat vacant. We have attached pictures showing Pali Lanes before we closed and after we closed. Since we closed, the property has sat empty and in dismay. There is a huge fence that blocks off nearly the entire parking lot. There is painted plywood that blocks off the iconic rainbow arch wall. The roof is cracking and near the front door there is graffiti. We are at a lost of words. Why is A&B failing to keep the property up to par? Pali Lanes is a historic building. There is an obligation for the property to be maintained, they are not. A&B said they would keep Pali Lanes in Kailua, it has been closed for 1 year. A&B said they would keep bowing in Kailua, the only public bowling alley in the entire Windward side has been closed for 1 year. A&B needs to be held accountable for the actions and their own words. We as community are tired of being bulldozed by A&B. We must hold them accountable.

I am a bowler at pali lanes thats what keeps me going, what if the situation was switched and A&B got something taken from them that kept them going and being alive, thats what the bowlers and the people from kailua are trying to do. We are trying to keep us alive and the seniors and special needs. So A&B if you have any heart and soul please leave Pali Lanes to the community so we can stay alive. You have so much money let us be and find somewhere else. Save Pali Lanes

This was sent to us by a former regular house bowler at Pali Lanes. This person has asked to stay anonymous. Pali Lanes is more than bowling. To many bowlers (like this one) bowling is their life. Pali Lanes is their second home. We lost more than a bowling alley. We lost a way of life. Please do the right thing and