The national home building company D.R. Horton has donated a new park in Makakilo to the City & County of Honolulu.
The park, called Kahiwelo Neighborhood Park, is the latest effort by the company to boost its public image as it seeks the city’s approval for a controversial 11,750-home development known as Hoopili.
The project has met fierce resistance because it would pave over 1,200 acres of prime agricultural land and increase traffic to and from West Oahu. The city Zoning and Planning Committee has already given its initial stamp of approval to Hoopili, which supporters note would provide construction jobs and help ease the city’s housing crisis.
“At D.R. Horton Hawaii, we are not only committed to building affordable and attainable homes, but we are also dedicated to making the overall community a better place,” said D.R. Horton vice president Cameron Nekota in a city press release.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who supports Hoopili, commended the company’s donation in a grand opening ceremony on Friday morning. The park includes a play field, basketball courts and a playground, according to a press release.
D.R. Horton’s other public relations efforts have included media advertising and marketing a brand of tomatoes called “Grown in Hoopili.”
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Anita Hofschneider is a reporter for Civil Beat. You can reach her by email at anita@civilbeat.org or follow her on Twitter at .