It's been five years since the BMX track at Wheeler Army Airfield shut down.
It was the only BMX track on Oahu, leaving those seeking the thrill of racing without a place to compete.
Until now.
Whoever said learning to ride a bike is easy sure wasn't talking about this.
Welcome to the Sandbox on Sand Island.
It's become a gathering place for the young and the young at heart.
The Sandbox opened last October, but BMX races only started up here last month.
And the races are sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association.
But it's not for everyone.
"I just walked up to the starting area and looked down, that was enough for me. I said no, no I'm done," said Holly Neves from Kaimuki.
That's why she watches from the sidelines as her seven-year-old daughter Taviana takes to the hills.
"I already raced two times and this is my third race," said Taviana.
"I get excited for her. I'm the loudest parent out there, I can't help it," said Neves.
At six years old Kainalu Worrell of Mililani is the youngest racer here.
Mom got him into the sport and dad B.J. just started riding.
"It's a little intimidating going over the hills," he said. "I was spending three hours a day out here watching them so I decided to get some exercise too."
So how much does it cost?
"Too much money," said Kainalu's father. "It's actually an inexpensive sport to get into, believe it or not, compared to other bicycling sports downhill or mountain. So the average bike is $200 to$300 to get started."
And it's the thrills that keep them coming back for more.
But sometimes there are the spills.
The Sandbox is a non-profit and it's run entirely by volunteers.
The parents come out and prepare the track before the races and they clean up afterwards.
For now, until they get more volunteers, the BMX track is open on Wednesdays from 3-6 p.m. for practice and on Sundays from 3-6 p.m. for races.
"It's absolutely something that's great and more people should get involved in it," said Neves.
