Vidinha Stadium to be closed beginning March 7 for $12.2M improvement project

It hosts high school soccer games, graduation ceremonies and fairs. Summertime festivals welcome residents of the Garden Isle to its field, including for fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Even the Kaua‘i Farmers Market at one time set up shop in the parking lot on Friday afternoons.

Vidinha Stadium in downtown Līhuʻe — built in the 1970s and named for former Kaua‘i County Mayor Antone “Kona” Vidinha Jr., who served in the post from 1967 to 1972 and was one of the prime movers for its establishment and construction — is a versatile space, offering a wide range of activities for the community throughout the year.

The popular 34-acre Antone “Kona” Vidinha Jr. Memorial Stadium complex located on Ho‘olako Street, which is managed by Kaua‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation, has taken good care of the island community for the past half-century.

Now, the community is returning the favor with a $12.2 million improvement project through the county that breaks ground March 7.

Phase 1 of the project includes demolishing and removing the existing track, field, scoreboard and track implements. A new synthetic turf field, synthetic track, video board and track implements will then be installed.

“These upgrades will ensure that our community will have access to a world-class facility that promotes recreation, fitness and healthy living,” said Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek Kawakami.

The stadium — Kaua‘i’s only venue large enough to accommodate more than 1,000 people — will be closed for the duration of the improvement project, which is estimated to be completed by December.

“This project would not have been possible without the collaboration of the county council, state legislators, the Hawai‘i Department of Education, Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation, our dedicated county staff and contractors and the many partners who contributed to its success,” said Kawakami, who extended a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved in making the project become reality.

For more information regarding this project, Contact Kaua‘i County Parks and Recreation at 808-241-4460 or via email at parks@kauai.gov for additional information.