Ala Moana shower is closed because of runoff

City parks officials have closed a popular shower facility on the beach at Ala Moana after noticing soapy runoff emptying into a lagoon area.

Deputy Parks Director Jeanne Ishikawa said the heavily used facility at Ala Moana Beach Park was shut down Wednesday.

In response to complaints from beachgoers, relayed to city officials through media outlets, a press conference was held Friday, during which Ishikawa said action was taken quickly to “make things right.’”

She said there are several other showers at the beach, but none as close to the water as the closed facility.

More than a year ago the city posted signs warning beachgoers that using soap and shampoo was against the law and that offenders could face imprisonment and fines.

Officials hoped there would be voluntary compliance.

Under federal clean-water laws, soap and shampoo are regarded as pollutants.

The shower, near the Diamond Head side of the McCoy Pavilion, is fitted with a metal seal embedded in the concrete telling users to refrain from using shampoo and soap, but both continue to be used by some people, city officials said.

Parks officials point out part of the problem is that Ala Moana Park is about 81 years old and was planned before state and federal environmental laws were in place.

The closed shower, once at least 75 feet from the shoreline, is now about 10 to 15 feet from the beach park’s lagoon area, officials said.

Parks officials said the department is looking at various alternatives to reopen shower services near the closed facility.

According to plans recently detailed by Mayor Kirk Caldwell that aim to upgrade Ala Moana Park, the city eventually would take some sand from either end of the beach and redistribute it in the middle area, including in front of the closed shower facility.

The city also intends to improve Ala Moana Beach Park’s Magic Island. Among the plans is a proposal through which runoff from a shower facility would drain into the city’s sewage system. Runoff from another shower facility would drain onto grass. The improvements would be in compliance with federal environmental standards, the parks department said.

The price tag for the Magic Island improvements, including the repaving of paths, is estimated at $637,000.