Posted on: Thursday, July 26, 2001

Park workers' uniforms to cost city $90,000 a year

Advertiser Staff

About 400 Honolulu city park workers are getting a new look — uniforms of light green shirts with dark slacks to replace the old bright blue T-shirts — that will cost taxpayers almost three times more than the old ones.

City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the city sought bids for companies to rent and launder the uniforms, and that Al Phillips cleaners won the bid at a price of 30 cents to wash each shirt and 50 cents for each pair of slacks.

Costa said that adds up to $90,000 a year, nearly triple the $31,500 spent each year on the T-shirts.

Some park workers have complained that the new uniforms are too hot and a waste of taxpayers' dollars.

Costa said the city has received compliments about the new look, which many people saw for the first time at last Sunday's "Brunch on the Beach" in Waikiki.

She said the city made the change to give a professional look to the groundskeepers and other park employees, and because it was difficult for employees to keep the T-shirts looking good.

Costa said the new uniforms also promote pride among the workers.

"They look great," Costa said. "We want them to look spiffy."