Beach park pavilion closed for safety

Structural safety concerns prompted the city Department of Parks and Recreation to close the pavilion at Waimanalo Beach Park last week until further notice.

Robert Kroning, city design and construction director, said in a statement Tuesday that maintenance staff asked his department to investigate heavy flaking and cracking of the pavilion columns, as well as cracking of the masonry screen walls. He said a structural consultant inspected the site and advised city officials to close the pavilion for safety reasons.

The city issued an emergency procurement for a contractor to makes repairs to the pavilion, which will remain closed until final repairs are completed. The structure, built in about 1960, has not been maintained well over the years, the city said.

“Emergency shoring will be installed (today) as a precaution to temporarily support the roof structure due to damaged structural columns,” Kroning said. “Further structural investigation will be done to determine extent of damage, whether the structure can be repaired or not, and if repairable, the repair procedure.”

The pavilion was closed Friday. The city sent out a news release about the closure Tuesday.

City spokesman Jesse Broder Van Dyke said he was notified late Friday of the closure and that neighborhood board members were informed that evening.

The rest of the beach park and the restrooms near the pavilion remain open, the city said.

The pavilion is used for formal and informal community events, such as the Gabby Pahinui Waimanalo Kanikapila and the Waimanalo Carnival, and can be reserved for functions. The city said there are no scheduled events at the pavilion and that a neighborhood church that regularly uses the structure has been notified of the closure.

Wilson “Kekoa” Ho, Waimanalo Neighborhood Board chairman, said Tuesday that he was notified Friday night of the closure. He said the pavilion is a popular community gathering place that hosts, among other things, family functions and sports teams gatherings.

“Any closure is a disruption, especially during the season of holiday events,” said Ho, adding that although it is an inconvenience, “I’m glad they (closed it) for the safety of the people.”