The KRP Clean-up days were a fantastic success and a great chance for the initiated to help "Build The Track".  All of us with the KRP Project Team would like to sincerely thank each and every volunteer that took the time to help us this weekend.  Your dedication and support truly humbles us, and gives us a huge reason to continue pushing this project to completion.  It is because of motorsports enthusiasts like you, that we have worked so hard and diligently.  In only a few short days, a ton of progress was made in preparing the facility for it's eventual use as a motorsports park.

The weekend started off with the arrival of our setup crew at around 8AM...bright and early on a beautiful Saturday morning.  The tent was raised, tables and chairs were setup, and the equipment was brought out in anticipation of getting the work started.  Immediately after 9AM, a good number of volunteers showed up, ready and willing to work.  Once we had introduced ourselves and had an brief explanation of our goals for the day...we set off into three separate groups.  1 volunteer group went to work cleaning up the hundreds of concrete barricades on-site...removing old illumination tape, safety lights, and placards.  The next group setoff to clean the front of the park, armed with wheedwhackers and a chainsaw.  The next group set about cleaning Bunker 1 of the dense growth of in-grown shrubs and weeds.  Each group worked hard and committed themselves to their task for the entire morning until lunch.  After lunch, they continued on and were able to clean and clear the barricades as well as finish mowing down the vegeation in front of the park.  We were also able to powerspray the old and flaking paint off of Bunker 1, and together, were able to re-paint the entirety...it now stands in a beautiful, fresh coat of white.  At the end of the day, a definite impact had been made.  It was definetly positive and productive...as the sun set, we closed up shop and headed home to rest.

The second day got off to a slow start due to our aching bodies and the urge to sleep in a few more minutes, but it was quickly up to par.  The second day brought forth even more volunteers than the previous day, and we set upon painting the remaining barricades and bunkers.  Each barricade had to be power-sprayed to remove years of road dirt and grime...this took quite a bit of time and effort so we split the team up and attacked the outside perimeter fencing.  We were able to clear the entire fenceline makai of the park of the many in-grown trees and shrubs.  This is in preparation for providing a future place for parking spectator vehicles.  In addition, Bunker 2 was completly stripped and repainted a fantastic white...the bunkers really standout as beautiful landmarks for the facility.  If possible, we'd like to use them for observation points for the park.  Finally, once enough barricades were cleaned, the entire volunteer work force hit the nitrous and got to work.  By the end of the day, all of the barricades lining the south perimeter were painted and our team, although sore and tired, all celebrated happily.  Viewing the park from the dirt mound provided a great perspective on what we have accomplished in only a short few days, and with that....we all headed home to a much deserved night of rest and relaxation.

Developers George & Jeanette Grace, Jr. provided a literal smorgasboard of hamburgers, hot dogs, home-made chili & rice, fried chicken, cold drinks, and lots of assorted munchies for the volunteer crew on both days of the clean-up...no volunteer was want for food or drink, and it really gave us all a chance to sit, relax, and talk about various topics and the future of the raceway park.   It was certainly exciting, espescially for the volunteers who had never seen the facility.  Alot of questions were asked and answered to the best of our ability, and a good time was had by all.

Again, we'd like to say thank you to all of the volunteers.  Myself, I'd like to thank the developers as well as their crew of professionals that have dedicated tons of man-hours for the past several weeks.  Even after working all day at their own jobs, they still took time to come in and move barricades, cut the grass, and have really had a dramatic effect on how KRP stands today.  For those of you that were unable to join us...we will have future volunteer days where you can be a part of this very special effort to bring racing back to Oahu.  You'll be able to taste and see, as all of us have, the promise and potential this land holds for us.  Until next time, please enjoy the following gallery of photos.  We'll have a short video up sometime this week, that will spread even more light on the accomplishments we've made these past two days.  And remember, go to www.kalaeloaracewaypark.com for all updates and progress reports!

Mahalo,

Michael Kitchens
KRP Project Team

Earlier, Developer George Grace & Company set out to load and transport the concrete barricades. Earlier, Developer George Grace & Company set out to load and transport the concrete barricades.

Placing a third barricade down. Placing a third barricade down.

After the 4th barricade is set, the team locks the barricades down with heavy chains. After the 4th barricade is set, the team locks the barricades down with heavy chains.

The barricades are positioned with large wooden blocks underneath to allow the forklifts access. The barricades are positioned with large wooden blocks underneath to allow the forklifts access.

Although the forklift is of the larger type, the 20 foot barricade dwarfs it. Although the forklift is of the larger type, the 20 foot barricade dwarfs it.

Moving the barricade into position... Moving the barricade into position...

The last barricade for this load. The last barricade for this load.

George's crew spent the past several weeks transporting barricades to the new facility. George's crew spent the past several weeks transporting barricades to the new facility.

Each barricade needed to be placed exactly so in order to fit 4 across. Each barricade needed to be placed exactly so in order to fit 4 across.

Geoge grabs the next barricade in line. Geoge grabs the next barricade in line.

Concrete barricades can weighs over a thousand pounds each. Concrete barricades can weighs over a thousand pounds each.

George adjusts the height in order to bring the barricade over the low boy trailer. George adjusts the height in order to bring the barricade over the low boy trailer.

One more barricade down... One more barricade down...

Easy does it. Easy does it.

One of the Trucks & Trailers used to haul the barricades. One of the Trucks & Trailers used to haul the barricades.

One load of 4, ready to be tied down. One load of 4, ready to be tied down.

8AM in the morning on the first day of clean-up at the Kalaeloa Raceway Park. 8AM in the morning on the first day of clean-up at the Kalaeloa Raceway Park.

All of the hardwork put into transporting the barricades to facility is obvious. All of the hardwork put into transporting the barricades to facility is obvious.

The park stretches outwards past the dirt pile in the background. The park stretches outwards past the dirt pile in the background.

Sideview from Bunker 2. Sideview from Bunker 2.

The park will co-exist with the existing horse stables. The park will co-exist with the existing horse stables.

Compared to the previous photos, the grass has been cut very short now. Compared to the previous photos, the grass has been cut very short now.

Setting up the tent for the next two days of work. Setting up the tent for the next two days of work.

Two Kawasaki Mules were used for transporting equipment back and forth. Two Kawasaki Mules were used for transporting equipment back and forth.

The calm before the storm... The calm before the storm...

The first volunteer crew storms Bunker 1 and attacks the heavy growth of weeds. The first volunteer crew storms Bunker 1 and attacks the heavy growth of weeds.

Slowly but surely, they clear the bunker of a few year's growth. Slowly but surely, they clear the bunker of a few year's growth.

Taking a break? Or just smiling for the camera? Taking a break? Or just smiling for the camera?

All of the barricades had to be stripped of the illuminating foil glued to their sides. All of the barricades had to be stripped of the illuminating foil glued to their sides.

Later on, all of the trash was collected and properly disposed of. Later on, all of the trash was collected and properly disposed of.

A crowd of volunteers made short work of the barricade clean-up. A crowd of volunteers made short work of the barricade clean-up.

The plastic illumination placards had to be removed via ratchet & wrench. The plastic illumination placards had to be removed via ratchet & wrench.

The volunteers take a lunch break of hamburgers, hot dogs, cold drinks, and other munchies. The three volunteers on the right were our weedwhacker guys. The volunteers take a lunch break of hamburgers, hot dogs, cold drinks, and other munchies. The three volunteers on the right were our weedwhacker guys.

Over 35 barricades were lined up in a row on the right side of the park. Over 35 barricades were lined up in a row on the right side of the park.

Each one had to have all of the dangerous metal screws and bolts removed. Each one had to have all of the dangerous metal screws and bolts removed.

Caught in the action...grinding the bolts off. Caught in the action...grinding the bolts off.

Sparks fly! Sparks fly!

A wrench is used to remove the metal plates that held the safety lights on. A wrench is used to remove the metal plates that held the safety lights on.

Each of the bunkers were stripped of the flaking paint via power washer. Each of the bunkers were stripped of the flaking paint via power washer.

It took a little while, but the paint was in dire need of repair. It took a little while, but the paint was in dire need of repair.

Volunteers take to painting Bunker #1. Volunteers take to painting Bunker #1.

Every inch was given a fresh coat of bunker white paint. Every inch was given a fresh coat of bunker white paint.

Ladders and poles were used for the hard to reach areas. Ladders and poles were used for the hard to reach areas.

The bunker is starting to look nice. The bunker is starting to look nice.

Volunteers & even the kids started in on painting the barricades. Volunteers & even the kids started in on painting the barricades.

Getting into all the crooks & crevices. Getting into all the crooks & crevices.

All weekend long, we were constantly buzzed by tons of low-flying planes. We have a feeling the noise from the track will fit right in here. All weekend long, we were constantly buzzed by tons of low-flying planes. We have a feeling the noise from the track will fit right in here.

The front fence after our volunteer workforce of wheedwhackers were finished. The front fence after our volunteer workforce of wheedwhackers were finished.

In comparison to the previous shots, the park is readily visible through the fence now. In comparison to the previous shots, the park is readily visible through the fence now.

The entrance is starting to look a bit better. The entrance is starting to look a bit better.

As the sun begins to draw down, we ended our first day of clean-up at KRP. As the sun begins to draw down, we ended our first day of clean-up at KRP.

Day Two began, and a new set of volunteers took to painting the barricades. Day Two began, and a new set of volunteers took to painting the barricades.

Great progress was made, although we've got a long way to go. Great progress was made, although we've got a long way to go.

Dirt track racers supported the park clean-up with their sweat and hard work. Dirt track racers supported the park clean-up with their sweat and hard work.

We're getting there...these volunteers made it happen. We really appreciate their help. We're getting there...these volunteers made it happen. We really appreciate their help.

Starting on the second bunker...again, all of the old paint is removed. Starting on the second bunker...again, all of the old paint is removed.

The volunteer crew gets to work painting Bunker 2. The volunteer crew gets to work painting Bunker 2.

These bunkers will provide storage for the track, as well as observation and spectator points. These bunkers will provide storage for the track, as well as observation and spectator points.

Young and old took part in helping out. Young and old took part in helping out.

This many people painting makes the job go by quickly. This many people painting makes the job go by quickly.

The bunker...almost finished, but looking fantastic already. The bunker...almost finished, but looking fantastic already.

Touching up the hinges. Touching up the hinges.

Everyone takes a break for some home-made chili courtesy of Jeanette Grace. Everyone takes a break for some home-made chili courtesy of Jeanette Grace.

The food was great, and the chatter was constant. The food was great, and the chatter was constant.

Everyone was pretty excited after seeing the park, and the future it represented. Everyone was pretty excited after seeing the park, and the future it represented.

This gentleman weedwhacked the entire day...and did a great job. This gentleman weedwhacked the entire day...and did a great job.

Carrying on with the painting. Carrying on with the painting.

The AWD crowd showed up in force...we couldn't have done it without them. The AWD crowd showed up in force...we couldn't have done it without them.

Painting these barricades was dirty and required alot of hard work. Painting these barricades was dirty and required alot of hard work.

Each one had to be power sprayed and cleaned of years of dirt and grime before painting. Each one had to be power sprayed and cleaned of years of dirt and grime before painting.

Some people are already ready to go! Some people are already ready to go!

Barricades as far as the eye can see! What a beautiful sight! Barricades as far as the eye can see! What a beautiful sight!

Each one of these was painted by a volunteer...and we appreciate their committment. Each one of these was painted by a volunteer...and we appreciate their committment.

Finishing off the last of the barricades on the perimeter. Finishing off the last of the barricades on the perimeter.

Almost finished for day two. Almost finished for day two.

We were all pretty filthy by the end of the day, but it was worth it. We were all pretty filthy by the end of the day, but it was worth it.

Some kids chose to do a little finger painting. Some kids chose to do a little finger painting.

Others were driven around for some fun. Others were driven around for some fun.

And finally...some took a much-deserved break. The future of racing is right here...helping out, and getting dirty with the last generation. And finally...some took a much-deserved break. The future of racing is right here...helping out, and getting dirty with the last generation.

These remaining photos show the overall progress we've made since the last set published on the website. These remaining photos show the overall progress we've made since the last set published on the website.

Another shot from Bunker 2. Another shot from Bunker 2.

And finally...sweeping shots from the dirt mound. And finally...sweeping shots from the dirt mound.

The park is no longer divided...but rather united in it's openness. The park is no longer divided...but rather united in it's openness.

Once the barricades are in position, the entire park will be pretty open. You can just feel the space created by all the hard work in these photos. Once the barricades are in position, the entire park will be pretty open. You can just feel the space created by all the hard work in these photos.

Another bunker sits in the distance...ready for a repaint. Soon, it will be...but that's for another day. This one is ended. Thanks to all of our volunteers! Another bunker sits in the distance...ready for a repaint. Soon, it will be...but that's for another day. This one is ended. Thanks to all of our volunteers!