Parking lot at Kapiolani Park reopens in August with TifGrand Bermudagrass

HONOLULU - July 30, 2014 - PRLog -- After more than a year of construction, the final phase of the renovation of the parking lot at Kapiolani Park and the Waikiki Shell is set to open by the end of August. The estimated $2.77 million project raises the parking lot level to accommodate the roots of old growth trees in the park. The renovation also adds new bike racks, new sidewalks, a new irrigation system, new shrubs and 66,000 sq.ft. of a brand new type of shade-tolerant grass called TifGrand bermudagrass, grown by Hawaiian Turfgrass. (http://www.hawaiianturfgrass.com)

Micah Furuyama, project manager for Green Thumb, Inc., a landscape contractor headquartered in Honolulu, said his company began work on the irrigation system and new grass areas in September 2013. TifGrand, which was developed on the mainland at the University of Georgia, is scientifically proven to be more shade tolerant than most common bermudagrasses. The shade tolerance of the grass was critical to the Kapiolani Park project because the large trees in the park create lots of shaded areas.

“TifGrand handles the shade a lot better than the regular common bermudagrass,” Furuyama said. “In full shade, any grass will struggle. But this grass can grow in up to about 60-percent shade. We planted it a month ago and it’s growing in faster in the shaded areas.  In the areas where the common bermudgrass would not even grow, the TifGrand is growing.”

In the Aloha State, TifGrand bermudagrass is only available through Hawaiian Turfgrass, the exclusive licensed producer of the grass in the state. The Hawaiian Turfgrass farm is located in Mililani, O’ahu.

“I am proud to provide TifGrand as a part of this very important project at Kapiolani Park, a park that is an essential element of Waikiki, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. TifGrand bermudagrass was developed by one of the leading bermudagrass scientists in the world. It was researched and tested to ensure that it performs well in shady situations, stands up to wear and tear associated with sports, and provides a beautiful, lush lawn,” said Sean Aukanai'i Fong, manager of Hawaiian Turfgrass. “The grass will help to beautify the park for years to come.”

Furuyama said his company is set to turn over the maintenance of the new landscaping and grass at the park to the city at the end of August.

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About Hawaiian Turfgrass

Based in Mililani on the island of O’ahu, Hawaiian Turfgrass is a locally owned sod farm dedicated to bringing the highest quality, certified and scientifically researched turfgrasses to the Islands of Hawaii for use on home lawns, resort landscapes, roadways, golf courses and sports fields. Hawaiian Turfgrass is a licensed landscape contractor with the expertise to install sprinkler systems, grass as sprigs and is the first contractor in Hawaii to offer Big Roll sod sales and installation. Contractor #32884. The company is a licensed producer of TifGrand Bermudagrass (mailto:http://www.hawaiianturfgrass.com/grass-sod/tifgran...), Zeon Zoysia (mailto:http://www.hawaiianturfgrass.com/zeon-zoysia-sport...), Captiva St. Augustine (mailto:http://www.hawaiianturfgrass.com/grass-sod/captiva...), L1F Zoysia (mailto:http://www.hawaiianturfgrass.com/grass-sod/l1f-zoysia/), SeaStar Paspalum (http://www.hawaiianturfgrass.com/grass-sod/seastar-for-hawaii/) and JaMur Zoysia (mailto:http://www.hawaiianturfgrass.com/grass-sod/jamur-zoysia/) grasses.  808-371-0527, visit our website www.hawaiianturfgrass.com or like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hawaiian-Turfgrass/240456286042350?fref=ts)

Media Contact: Stacie Zinn Roberts, What’s Your Avocado? • (360) 941-4595   stacie@whatsyouravocado.com