Man’s best friends will strut their stuff on the streets of East Oahu when non-profit Hui Ilio Hawaii presents the fifth annual Hawaii Kai Dog Walk.

In celebration of the first anniversary of the Hawaii Kai Dog Park, this year’s event, themed “Off Leash and Loving It,” expects to host approximately 350 people and just as many canines on Sunday, June 7, at the Hawaii Kai Park and Ride’s makai parking lot, located on Keahole Street.

“The first time we did (the dog walk) in 2005, we were in the process of trying to group together to get a dog park built in Hawaii Kai,” explained Elaine Dobashi, president of Hui Ilio. “We were trying to get other people interested in it so that we would have support and we could raise funds. It took four years to get it done.

“There are not that many places where you can do social activities with your dog,” she continued. “We were trying to get more people in the community interested or aware of the need for a dog park in our community, so it was for awareness and it was also just an opportunity for people to get together and do something with their dogs.”

Check-in begins at 6:30 AM, and the walk will kick off at 7:30 AM.

The dog walk, which is just over two-miles-long, begins at the makai end of the Hawaii Kai Park and Ride parking lot, then travels mauka on Keahole Street. It turns left onto Hawaii Kai Drive, heads down Hawaii Kai Drive to Kalanianaole Highway and then makes another left onto Keahole Street and returns to the Park and Ride.

A mini route, which is under a mile long for small or older dogs, starts at the makai end of the Park and Ride. It then travels down Keahole Street, turns right onto Kalanianaole Highway, with a slight turn at Hawaii Kai Drive, and returns to the Park and Ride.

“The purpose of the walk is to provide an opportunity for people and their dogs to exercise and socialize with other people and dogs,” Dobashi stated. “It’s also to raise awareness of the need for dog parks, not only in our community but in all communities.”

After the walk, dogs will be treated to “doggie pools,” where they may cool off.

As an added venue, various information booths, photo sessions with a professional photographer, exhibits and activities will be available before and after the walk until 10 AM, during which event sponsors will be on hand to pass out free goodies and discount coupons.

In addition, organizers will offer “doggie music” and face painting for the keiki between 6:30 and 8 AM.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Dobashi shared. “If you own a dog and you like to take your dog with you when you go places, this is just a great opportunity to spend a morning with your dog and other people who love dogs. Plus, you get lots of free stuff.”

While the pre-registration deadline has passed, interested dog walkers may take advantage of walk-in registration on the event day for $20, and may receive a free T-shirt and goodie bag while supplies last.

A registration form may be downloaded from www.hui-ilio.org, and the brochure as well as the registration form may be picked up at Bark Avenue, Pet’s Discount (Kaimuki and Hawaii Kai), Petland Kahala, Hawaii Kai Veterinary Clinic, Kale’s Natural Foods, Pacific Paws Doggie Resort & Spa, Aina Haina Pet Hospital and Hawaii Kai Dog Park.

Other sponsors include Menehune Water, who will hand out free water at the event, Island Dog: Da Kine Dog Magazine and Hawaii Pet Magazine.

Event parking is available at the Park and Ride parking lot, as well as at the Maunalua Bay Beach Park parking lot on Kalanianaole Highway.

Proceeds from the dog walk registration fees will help to support the Hawaii Kai Dog Park, in addition to Hui Ilio Hawaii.

Hui Ilio Hawaii, also known as the Hawaii Dog Group, was founded to promote safe, friendly places for dogs and their owners to play, and also to promote responsible dog ownership. Its initial reason for organizing was to establish the Hawaii Kai Dog Park, which the group did through a public-private partnership with the city Department of Parks and Recreation. Now that the park is a reality, members continue to support the park as adoptive “park partners,” by recruiting and training volunteer park rangers, as well as sponsoring clean-up days and additional park improvements. Its ongoing goals are to help other dog groups get approval for parks in their respective districts, enhance the opportunities for dogs to receive proper exercise and socialization, and to promote the licensing, vaccination and good-behavior training of dogs.

For more information on the Hawaii Kai Dog Walk, send e-mail to hui-ilio@hawaii.rr.com or visit www.hui-ilio.org.