HILO, Hawaii – The County has responded to complaints of static electricity shocks at island playgrounds, officials said at this week’s council committee meetings.

Hawaii County Parks and Recreation has had to deal with complaints of zapped children due to static electricity at certain, newer playground facilities. Apparently, the artificial turf was generating the excess static electricity and caused a few two year-olds to get “quite a shock”, said Kohala councilmember Tim Richards.

“I took my nephew up to one of our parks in the neighborhood, and I was getting a shock every time I touched the playground,” said Kona councilman Dru Kanuha in a similar story.

County officials have been able to address the issue, using Downy Fabric Softener.

“It’s magic,” Park and Rec director Charmaine Kamaka joked with councilmembers.

The use of the fabric softener is actually an accepted best practise, according to an industrial hygienist, official say. Some of the newer playgrounds will require 6 to 12 months before static build-up begins to lessen.