Because the Star-Advertiser has portrayed the planned lifeguard facility adjacent to the Waikiki Aquarium as a battle pitting the Kapiolani Park Preservation Society against the city, ("No Walk in the Park," April 8), it is important to put the issue into proper perspective.
The subject of the alleged sparring match/court battle being promoted — "city versus society" — is a facility designed to provide an alternate site for the Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division’s Waikiki Substation that is currently located under the Ewa bleachers of the War Memorial Natatorium.
The planned facility includes office space for the district captain and lieutenant for scheduling and managing their year-round operations, and storage and operational space for the personal watercraft (jet skis) assigned to the ocean waters from Honolulu Harbor to Maunalua Bay.
The ultimate fate of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium has yet to be determined. Three different city administrations (Mayors Fasi, Harris and Hannemann) were unable to garner enough political and public support to either completely refurbish or demolish the swimming pool, bleachers and facilities.
During the Harris administration, some $8 million was spent shoring up the bleachers, restrooms and the area under the bleachers where the lifeguard substation is located. Until the Natatorium is determined to be unsafe for our employees and they have to relocate, or if it is decided at the highest levels of city and state government that something definitively will be done (providing there are no ensuing court battles), we will not become as excited about the matter as some have.
It is my understanding that the media is tasked with reporting the news objectively while informing the public of issues that may need attention and resolution. Writing that "the group is prepared to take the city to court" merely provided those in the Preservation Society a vehicle to repeat their often-quoted opinions about the boundaries of the Kapiolani Park Trust.
In addition to watching over the millions of residents and visitors who use the beach areas makai of Kapiolani Park, city lifeguards are responsible for the safety and well-being of every person who visits an Oahu beach to swim, surf, snorkel, picnic, bodyboard, paddle or sunbathe.
Thousands are rescued and treated every year by our lifeguards, who are recognized nationally and internationally for their work and leadership in the lifesaving community.
However, the point of this column is not to extol the accomplishments and contributions of these public servants, but hopefully to provide objective information about an issue that is at this point, moot.
This is not an issue about winning or losing a court battle, or whether the lifeguard service is more important than the Preservation Society.
It is ultimately a matter of what best serves the needs of our citizens and visitors — and when there is disagreement, the importance of informed, civil dialogue and objective decision-making.
