Question: It’s past the middle of May now, and the Wahiawa pool is still not open. Do you know when it will reopen?
Q: It’s terrible that there are four public pools down and it’s the beginning of the summer season. Does the city try to time its repairs to avoid closures during the summer, when it’s warmer and kids will be out of school, wanting to swim?
Answer: The city hopes that the Wahiawa District Park swimming pool will reopen next week, after completed repairs have been approved, said Nathan Serota, spokesman for the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. The renovated facility is in the final stages of that approval process, he said.
You are one of several readers who has called asking for an update on the pool, which closed in November for major renovation. The city said then that the work should wrap up this spring (which ends June 20). Serota projected an early-May completion date in response to a Kokua Line question in February.
Although some callers complained that the project seems behind schedule, Serota said that is not the case. If the pool reopens next week as expected, it will be well within the original renovation timeline.
The upgrades are extensive and include replacing the old pumping system, lights and concrete pad; repairing cracks in the pool deck; and refreshing the pump room, according to the city.
As for the second question, yes, the city does try to avoid summer closures, but it doesn’t pass up opportunities for planned renovations and also must contend with unexpected repairs, he said.
The Parks and Rec website lists four of 21 public pools on Oahu as being closed for repairs — in Manoa, Palolo, Makiki and Wahiawa.
“Two of the pool closures are due to larger CIP projects for roof repair near the pool (Manoa and Palolo). Wahiawa, as mentioned above, should be opened soon. Makiki’s pool closure should only be a few days. That closure is to address a leaking drainage pipe,” Serota said.
He noted that Salt Lake District Park’s pool recently reopened after a closure caused by a malfunctioning pool pump. The part needed to repair the pump was custom-ordered, fabricated and shipped in from the mainland, he said.
“Our pools, and the pumps that keep the water circulating, require a great deal of maintenance. If the pump is not functioning properly, then the pool must be closed for health reasons,” Serota said, emphasizing that the city strives to have its facilities available to the public. “While we try to coincide closures with nonpeak usage, we must take advantage of any opportunity to get these renovation projects going.”
For a list of public swimming pools on Oahu, see 808ne.ws/poolsOahu.
Haiku Stairs
There’s a deadline looming for anyone who wants to comment on the fate of the Haiku Stairs, which are proposed for destruction. Initial comments about an environmental impact statement preparation notice are due Tuesday and will be accepted in writing only by emailing haikustairs@g70.design, according to the Honolulu Board of Water Supply. Comments will be considered in the drafting of the environmental impact statement, which will explore the proposed action — removing the stairs — and alternatives that would leave the Stairway to Heaven as is, transfer oversight to another agency or improve the scenic attraction for public use. You can download the full EISPN at 808ne.ws/eispnhaiku.
Mahalo
There are many complaints about traffic and rude drivers, and I know they are true, but I do want to say that as a pedestrian I also see drivers who slow down and try their best to make sure we elders get across the street. I feel they need encouragement and not only criticism, so I hope that Kokua Line will print this general “thank you” for those who do try. — Senior pedestrian
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
