Hawaiian Falls

Hawaiian Falls Waterparks
Industry Water parks
Founded Garland, Texas
May 24, 2003 (2003-05-24)
Number of locations
 7
Area served
 Texas, United States
Owner Harvest Family Entertainment
Website http://www.hfalls.com

Hawaiian Falls Waterparks is a chain of faith-based waterparks owned by Harvest Family Entertainment. Hawaiian Falls parks are all built using the public-private partnership model, where cities contribute funds and/or other incentives and the parks are built on public land. Each of the seven parks has a separate lease structure with the cities participation ranging from contributing land and infrastructure costs(Garland and The Colony)to 100% financing .[1] The first two parks were in the City of Garland and the City of the Colony, both in Texas. The third park was located in the South Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. In 2004 Hawaiian Falls experienced financial problems and founder and CEO David Busch sold the company to Herschend Family Entertainment. In 2006 Busch was able to buy the company back from Herschend after purchasing, then reselling The Colony and Garland Parks to CNL Lifestyle Properties. In addition to paying rent to Garland and the Colony, Hawaiian Falls must pay rent to CNL.[2] In 2014 The City of Garland conducted an audit of Hawaiian Falls and was unable to verify Hawaiian Falls gross receipts for the 2011 season. The audit stated that Hawaiian Falls "could not provide source documentation for group ticket sales,group food and beverage sales,season pass sales and online ticket sales." [3]

After re-branding the Dallas park Bahama Beach to Hawaiian Falls in 2007, the Company and the City of Dallas agreed to terminate the 11-year management contract because the Company could no longer continue to underwrite the losses at the park.[4][5] The Dallas park, considered "the first inner-city waterpark", was a risky endeavor. David Busch said, "From a business standpoint, we shouldn't be doing this."[6] According to Busch, after Hawaiian Falls and the City ended the management agreement, the park continued to lose money.[7]

Busch sees his parks as a "mission field." [8] The parks are often used for baptisms and other religious activities, and Busch says there were "more than 2,000 baptisms in our lazy rivers and wavepools" in 2011 alone. The parks often feature Christian concerts and events, such as "Modesty Matters" in 2013.[9] Hawaiian Falls employee program is called "Connections." [10] According to Rawd B. Jones, whose company Pure Group, administers Connections, the program includes after hours Bible study and church services, as well as training on how to bring the gospel to guests.[11] The seven locations Hawaiian Falls operates are located across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex area and Central Texas.

In 2014 Hawaiian Falls opened a new waterpark in Pflugerville, Texas, and another in White Settlement, Texas. In addition to the traditional Hawaiian Falls 'micropark,' each of the new parks includes an adventure park (rope course with ziplines), an arcade, and an event center. The adventure parks, arcades, and event centers are open year-round.[12] CEO Busch has said that he sees these year-round parks as a way for Hawaiian Falls to achieve "endless growth," and he is looking to expand outside of Texas.[13]

In late July 2014 Busch reported to the Pflugerville Community Development Corporation (PCDC) that because of delays in completing the park due to construction issues, revenues at the Pflugerville park were some 30% less than projected for the park.[14] He implied they would make up this shortfall in the winter, stating, “We will fill that place up all winter long. That’s year-round revenue. And that’s very... What a relief.” [13]

In December 2014 Hawaiian Falls closed its 'year-round' adventure parks in Pflugerville and White Settlement. The company claims the parks will re-opening in March "dependent on the weather" [15] Twelve year-round employees were laid-off.[16] Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville was "expected to employ 100 part-time workers year round" in addition to its part-time-seasonal and full-time, year-round employees.[17]

Numerous public/private projects have been considered by Hawaiian Falls and communities throughout the United States including Henderson, NV; Beaumont, TX; Royse City, TX; Temecula, CA; Grandview, MO; Greenville, Texas,;[18] Rockwall, Texas,;[19] Fontana, California,;[20] Gilbert, Arizona,;[21] Escondido, California,;[22] and Elk Grove Grove, California.;[23] and many others. Hawaiian Falls is awaiting approval on a proposal for a $20 million waterpark in Richland County, South Carolina.[24]

History

The Beginnings (2002–2003)

The Hawaiian Falls chain began with the groundbreaking of Hawaiian Falls Adventure Park in Garland, Texas on December 18, 2002, by David Busch of Horizon Family Inc., a California-based company. Mr. Busch has built and operated other water park properties in several states, including the park located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Busch wanted to start a more community-based entertainment venue. Hawaiian Falls' mission is: "Serving the Lord by Bringing Families Closer Together." [25] The City of Garland City Council and the Parks and Recreation Board provided the land on which the water park was built. Construction for Hawaiian Falls Garland began in January 2003 and opened in May of the same year. In late 2003 Hawaiian Falls made a similar agreement with the The Colony, Texas. Also in 2003, Hawaiian Falls entered into a lease agreement with the City of Dallas to manage what would be Bahama Beach Waterpark.

Expanding Hawaiian Falls (2004-2007)

In late 2004 Busch experienced financial problems and had to sell his company to Herschend Family Entertainment. Under Herschend's employ, Busch continued to operate the waterparks.[26]

In 2005, the Dallas aquatic center opened as Bahama Beach Waterpark in Dallas, Texas under the management of Hawaiian Falls' founder and CEO David Busch.[6] Bahama Beach is known as "the first inner-city waterpark" and was considered a risky endeavor.[6]

In December 2006, after Bahama Beach's second operating season, David Busch informed the City of Dallas that the park was operating at a loss of over $178,000.[5] "Low discretionary income in the park's market area," was one of the reasons given for the loss.[5] Busch wrote "Recognizing there are many intangible benefits our organization receives for providing quality, wholesome entertainment to families in South Dallas, [we] cannot continue to pay for this privilege by underwriting a loss of $178,000." [5] Among other things, Busch suggested that re-branding the park to Hawaiian Falls might solve the problem. Also in 2006 Busch had repurchased his company from Hereschend Family Entertainment and sold his parks in Garland and the Colony to CNL Lifestyle Properties. Hawaiian Falls now pays rent to Garland, the Colony, and CNL.[2]

In 2007, the City of Dallas allowed David Busch to rename Bahama Beach to Hawaiian Falls Dallas.[27] The re-branding did not stem the operations loss and the City of Dallas and Hawaiian Falls agreed to terminate the eleven-year contract with the City of Dallas.[5] The park is still open today and operates under its original name, Bahama Beach. According to David Busch in October 2006, the city-owned and operated park continued to lose money.[7]

Also in 2007, the company acquired its first non-waterpark property, Aloha Adventure Park located in Lewisville, Texas. Hawaiian Falls also invested in two Pizza Hut Express franchises to operate at two of its waterparks: Garland and The Colony.

Completed Projects (2008-2014)

In 2008, Hawaiian Falls expanded once again by adding Hawaiian Falls Mansfield in Mansfield, Texas.

In late 2010, the city of Roanoke, Texas, entered into a Letter of Intent with Harvest Family Entertainment to build another Hawaiian Falls waterpark in Roanoke.[28] They later broke ground on November 22, 2010. Hawaiian Falls Roanoke opened Memorial Day weekend 2011 with the Mega WaterWorld attraction, the World's largest water playground.

In October 2011, Hawaiian Falls entered into an agreement with the City of Waco to take over the former Waco City Water Park and transformed it into the new Hawaiian Falls Waco, which opened Memorial Day weekend 2012.

In December 2011, Hawaiian Falls announced plans for a $2 million expansion for the Roanoke waterpark and another $4.3 million in expansions for the other three North Texas parks to be completed by Memorial Day 2012.

For the 2014 season, Hawaiian Falls opened two new locations in Pflugerville and White Settlement, Texas. Each of the new parks feature an adventure park that will be open year-round.[29][30] On August 6, 2013, the city of Pflugerville agreed on a development deal with Harvest Family Entertainment to build the sixth and largest Hawaiian Falls water park just south of the intersection of Texas State Highway 130 and Texas State Highway 45 in the city. The $21 million Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville consists of a 15-acre water park along with a 5-acre adventure park, the largest water park in the company.[31] In Early November 2013, the city of White Settlement finalized with Hawaiian Falls to build their seventh location in the city in western Tarrant County, Texas It features an adventure park, water park, event center, and an arcade center near Interstate 820.[30] Both Pflugerville and White Settlement locations opened in summer 2014.

Hawaiian Falls Furloughs Winter Workers at Pflugerville(2014)

Hawaiian Falls founder and CEO David Busch promised the City of Pflugerville “year-round revenue," stating, "We will fill that place up all winter long." [13] The adventure park did not prove viable enough to stay open through the coldest winter months, and Hawaiian Falls closed the adventure parks in White Settlement and Pflugerville in December 2014 until spring 2015. Eight year-round employees at Pflugerville were let go.[16] Austin television news station KXAN [32] ran a story about the lay-offs in response to Facebook comments of Pflugerville residents.[33]

Prospective Projects (2005-2014)

President and Owner David Busch states that the Company is continually seeking new opportunities, although many do not come to fruition. Over the last nine years Hawaiian Falls has had negotiations with the following cities: Henderson, NV; Summerlin, NV; Manteca, CA; San Diego Port Authority, CA; Temecula, CA; Royse City, TX; El Paso, TX; Grandview, MO; Rockwall, TX; Beaumont, TX

Fontana California – In 2005 Fontana, California City Council authorized Fontana City Manager to enter into a lease agreement with Hawaiian Falls to renovate and improve the waterpark already inside the Martin Tudor Regional Park.[20] The City Planning Commission would still need to approve the deal. Some Fontana residents supported the park, but neighbors living near the park were concerned about noise, traffic, and security issues. In 2006, the existing waterpark was closed for renovation “because the ground at the hilly location became unsettled, and as a result, cracks began to surface in the equipment”. In 2012 City reopened the renovated park without Hawaiian Falls. San Bernardino County funds and $400,000 state grant were used for the renovation. No private company seems to have been involved. Entrance is approximately $3 per person.[34]

Gilbert, Arizona - In May 2006 Hawaiian Falls withdrew an application submitted to city of Gilbert, Arizona to develop a Hawaiian Falls park there, saying they did not think they would be able to meet their deadlines for the project.[35] Gilbert residents had voiced opposition to the project for over a year, citing environmental issues, and arguing that it would be a violation of the separation of church and state to allow a company who openly proselytizes in their parks to partner with the city.[21]

Greenville, Texas - In 2012 the City of Greenville Economic Development Director Greg Simms approached Hawaiian Falls about a public-private partnership to build a $12 to $14 million waterpark in that City. On November 19, 2013 Greenville City Council chose to partner with Splash Kingdom instead of Hawaiian Falls. Splash Kingdom was providing its own funding, $5 million, while Hawaiian Falls was requesting over $10 million in incentives from the city.[18]

Escondido, California - On April 27, 2013, Hawaiian Falls presented a public-private partnership proposal to the City of Escondido’s economic development subcommittee. Hawaiian Falls proposed an 80-20 split on the construction of the proposed $13 million waterpark, with Escondido contributing $10,400,000 and Hawaiian Falls contributing $2.6 million. Hawaiian Falls proposed that the park be built in the City’s existing Kit Carson Park. Hawaiian Falls would pay the City 5% of the park’s revenues. Escondido Mayor urged Hawaiian Falls to come back with a better deal because payment on revenue bonds used to fund the park would be at least double what Hawaiian Falls proposed paying in rent. He said Escondido would consider furnishing the land, but not the money for the construction. On April 15, 2013 angry Escondido residents presented a petition to City Council opposing Hawaiian Falls’ proposal. Escondido Mayor told residents “The fact that you are here today will make sure this proposal won’t go anywhere. It will put the skids on this project.” [22]

Rockwall, Texas - On April 7, 2014 the Rockwall, Texas City Council voted not to enter into the public-private partnership with Hawaiian Falls. Rockwall Mayor David Sweet told reporters, “I am very hesitant and have serious concerns about another public-private partnership involving a $25 million debt paid back over 30 years.” Mayor Sweet and city council were also concerned about water issues during a statewide drought.[19]

Elk Grove California - In October 2013, the city of Elk Grove, California selected P3 International to design, build, and operate an Aquatic Center for the City. Hawaiian Falls was a subcontractor for P3 and would be responsible for the waterpark that was proposed as part of the Aquatic Center. On April 14, 2014 P3 International notified the City that Hawaiian Falls had withdrawn from the project.[36] On September 10, 2014 City Council voted to build the aquatic center without a waterpark.[23]

Current Projects

Richland County, South Carolina – On June 12, 2014 Hawaiian Falls executives proposed a $20 million waterpark to the Richland County Council – Hawaiian Falls would design, build, and operate the park if the county would fund it.[37] On June 12, 2014 County Council approved a 2% hospitality tax on prepared meals to fund a waterpark. Later in June 2014, members of the Richland County Council spent $7,560 in tax dollar to visit Hawaiian Falls parks in Texas.[24] A request for proposals on the waterpark was issued on August 11, 2014 and closed on September 18, 2014.[38]

Locations

Current

Park name Location Coordinates Opening date Ref.
Hawaiian Falls Garland Garland, Texas 32°57′23.2″N 96°39′3.9″W / 32.956444°N 96.651083°W / 32.956444; -96.651083 May 24, 2003
Hawaiian Falls The Colony The Colony, Texas N/A May 2004
Hawaiian Falls Mansfield Mansfield, Texas N/A May 2008
Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville Pflugerville, Texas N/A June 9, 2014 [29]
Hawaiian Falls Roanoke Roanoke, Texas N/A May 2011
Hawaiian Falls Waco Waco, Texas 31°59′50.3″N 97°16′43.4″W / 31.997306°N 97.278722°W / 31.997306; -97.278722 May 26, 2012 [39]

Former

Aloha Adventure Park and Hawaiian Falls Dallas are the two former owned parks. They are both currently operating with different owners.

Park name Location Coordinates Opening Date Last season Ref.
Hawaiian Falls Dallas Dallas, Texas N/A May 2005 2007
Aloha Adventure Park Lewisville, Texas N/A May 2007 2008
Hawaiian Falls White Settlement White Settlement, Texas June 6,2014 2015

Hawaiian Falls Garland

The Waimea Bay slide complex contains 2 body slides & 2 tubes slides

Hawaiian Falls Garland (Also known as Hawaiian Falls Firewheel) is the first Hawaiian Falls Water park in the Hawaiian Falls Water park chain and officially opened on May 24, 2003, in Garland, Texas. Hawaiian Falls leases the park from its current owner, CNL Lifestyle Properties. The waterpark sits on roughly 12 acres (49,000 m2) adjacent to the Spring Creek Forest Preserve and is visible from the George Bush turnpike, which broke ground on December 18, 2002. It consists of fifteen attractions: 11 water slides, a lazy river, an interactive water tree-house, a wave pool, and an activity pool, as well as a few food stands. The park was built for roughly $5.5 million in a public-private partnership between the City of Garland and Hawaiian Falls. In 2006 Hawaiian Falls Garland was purchased by CNL Lifestyle Properties for $6,305,000. CNL leased back the park to Horizon Family Holdings, which currently operates the park under a 40-year lease.[2]

Slides
Dining and shopping

Hawaiian Falls The Colony

The Pipeline water slide ride
The Kona Kooler Adventure River lazy river
The Waikiki Wipeout slides

Hawaiian Falls The Colony the second Hawaiian Falls Water park in the Hawaiian Falls Water park chain and officially opened in May 2004 in The Colony, Texas. It consists of fifteen attractions: 11 water slides, a lazy river, an interactive water tree-house, a wave pool, a water walkway, a private picnic area, and a private cabana area, as well as several food stands. The park was built by David Busch of Horizon Family, Inc., (now Hawaiian Falls Water parks), and is a joint public/private venture with the City of The Colony, TX. In 2006 Hawaiian Falls The Colony was purchased from Horizon Family Holdings by CNL Lifestyle Properties for $5,820,000. CNL leased back the park to Horizon Family Holdings, which currently operates the park under a 40-year lease [2]

Slides
Dining and shopping

Hawaiian Falls Mansfield

Hawaiian Falls Mansfield is located in Mansfield, Texas, which was announced on September 10, 2007, and opened on Memorial Day Weekend in May 2008. The water park sits on 14 acres (57,000 m2) on Heritage Parkway and Texas State Highway 360. It consists of 14 water slides, a lazy river, an interactive water tree-house, a football-field size wave pool, and a children's activity pool, a private cabana area, as well as a few food stands. The park cost roughly $10 million and was built by David Busch of Hawaiian Falls Water parks in a joint public/private venture with the City of Mansfield. Hawaiian Falls Water parks signed a 40-year lease with the City of Mansfield to operate the park.

Slides
Dining and shopping

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke

Hawaiian Falls Roanoke is located in Roanoke, Texas. The park was announced on November 22, 2010, and opened on Memorial Day Weekend 2011. It became home of the world’s largest aqua play structure which will include a three-lane racer, a family raft ride with several exciting body slides, one 500-gallon and one 1,000-gallon dump bucket, numerous interactive pulleys, wheels and much more. The park was built by David Busch of Hawaiian Falls Waterparks in a joint public/private venture with the City of Roanoke. Ground broke for Hawaiian Falls Roanoke on November 22, 2010.

Slides
Dining and shopping

Hawaiian Falls Waco

Hawaiian Falls Waco is located in Waco, Texas. The park is the fifth and most recent addition to the Hawaiian Falls Water park chain. The park was originally known as the Waco Water Park until October 2011 when Hawaiian Falls and the City of Waco agreed to a takeover.[40] Three times its original size, it reopened as Hawaiian Falls Waco on May 26, 2012.[39] The water park sits on approximately 14 acres of land, the largest of the five Hawaiian Falls locations.[41]

Slides
Dining and shopping

Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville

Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville is located in Pflugerville, Texas. The park is the sixth addition to the Hawaiian Falls Water park chain. The Park covers 25 acres of land and includes the company's first "adventure park" which includes zip lines and rope courses. This location also includes the Aloha Event Center, also a company first.

Attractions
Dining and shopping

References

  1. ↑ "Hawaiian Falls flowing into White Settlement". star-telegram.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Form 8-K". sec.gov.
  3. ↑ http://www.ci.garland.tx.us/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=12093
  4. ↑ http://www.amazon.com/Bold-Leadership-Biblical-Principles-Marketplace-ebook/dp/B00904HWGC
  5. 1 2 3 4 5
  6. 1 2 3 "Know the Score". dallasobserver.com. 22 October 2006.
  7. 1 2 "Cities clamor for Hawaiian Falls partnerships". dallasnews.com.
  8. ↑ "Hawaiian Falls founder featured in motivational book". North Texas e-News.
  9. ↑ "‘Modesty Matters’ Brings Well-Known Christians, Hundreds of Guests to a Hawaiian Falls Waterpark in Suburban Dallas". Christian News, The Gospel Herald.
  10. ↑ "hfalls.com/connections". hfalls.com.
  11. ↑ "HF_ChurchMv2-ipad.m4v". YouTube.
  12. ↑ "Hawaiian Falls' New Heights". dmagazine.com.
  13. 1 2 3 http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/09/02/5127966/big-splash-hawaiian-falls-to-go.html
  14. ↑ "July 31, 2014 Pflugerville Community Development Corporation (PCDC) (Regular Meeting) - The City of Pflugerville, TX". swagit.com.
  15. ↑ "Some full-time Hawaiian Falls employees furloughed". Community Impact Newspaper.
  16. 1 2 "Difficult winter season cause for Hawaiian Falls layoffs". Community Impact Newspaper.
  17. ↑
  18. 1 2 Brad Kellar. "Splash Kingdom agreement approved". ketr.org.
  19. 1 2 "Rockwall Council votes against more public, private partnerships as proposed by Hawaiian Falls". The Rockwall News.
  20. 1 2 "New water park is planned in Fontana". Fontana Herald News.
  21. 1 2 "Plans for a water park withdrawn by firm". azcentral.com.
  22. 1 2 David Garrick. "Escondido council majority against water park". U-T San Diego.
  23. 1 2 "Elk Grove approves aquatic center, but not water park - Sacramento Business Journal". Sacramento Business Journal. 12 September 2014.
  24. 1 2 "County Council Takes Texas Water Park Junket". Free Times.
  25. ↑ "Hawaiian Falls Texas Water Park, Family Friendly Water Park". hfalls.com.
  26. ↑ "Baylor University -- Media Player". baylor.edu.
  27. ↑ "Bahama Beach waterpark re-branded Hawaiian Falls Dallas - printed from North Texas e-News". ntxe-news.com.
  28. ↑ City of Roanoke, Texas, Town Hall Meeting Notes
  29. 1 2 JP Eichmiller (August 6, 2013). "Pflugerville inks deal to build water park by May 2014". Community Impact. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  30. 1 2 Elizabeth Campbell (November 17, 2013). "Hawaiian Falls park expected to make big waves". Star-Telegram. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
  31. ↑ Gary Dinges (August 6, 2013). "Waterpark, adventure park planned for Pflugerville". Statesmen.com. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
  32. ↑ "Hawaiian Falls Pflugerville furloughs employees". KXAN.com.
  33. ↑ "Judith Dudley - Have ya'll heard that Hawaiian Falls in... - Facebook". facebook.com.
  34. ↑ "Big crowd turns out to celebrate opening of Fontana's new Splash Park". Fontana Herald News.
  35. ↑ "Plans for water park in Gilbert dry up". East Valley Tribune.
  36. ↑ http://www.elkgrovecity.org/documents/agendas/attachments/attachments/2014/05-14-14_10.3.pdf
  37. ↑ "Latest local breaking news by The State Newspaper in Columbia, SC - The State". thestate.com.
  38. ↑ http://www.richlandonline.com/Government/Departments/BusinessOperations/Procurement.aspx
  39. 1 2 http://www.wacotrib.com/news/154324695.html
  40. ↑ http://www.kxxv.com/story/15509703/possible-takeover-and-expansion-of-waco-water-park
  41. ↑ http://www.wacotrib.com/wacotoday/152932405.html
  42. ↑ "Hawaiian Falls Waco pours Wave Pool". amusementtoday.com.

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