First photo: Aria Christensen, 7, spins on one of the pieces of equipment at the newly-opened Kula Park Playground on Tuesday afternoon. The Kula Elementary School 2nd grader said she has been so excited watching the park being built and had the opening day circled on her calendar. That date was happily moved forward when the park opened ahead of schedule Tuesday after contractor Kupono Builders LLC completed the $755,000 project two months early.

Second photo: Pepper Heard, 6, is content to sit back and enjoy the ride as Bellina Souza (left), 7, and Kennadi Souza, 9, provide the power to turn a merry-go-round at the park Tuesday.

The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos