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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, March 29, 2008

City pools repaired, back in business

By Kim Fassler
Advertiser Staff Writer

KANE'OHE POOL HOURS

Free swim from 1 to 5 p.m. on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Lap swim from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekdays.

Call the Kane'ohe pool, at 45-660 Kea'ahala Road, at 233-7311.

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FIND OUT MORE

For more information about municipal pool locations and hours, visit www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks.

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Two communities got their municipal pools back this week, with a third reopening Monday.

All had been closed unexpectedly recently for pump repairs.

After closing for almost two weeks, the Manoa pool reopened Tuesday. The Pearl City pool, which had been closed about a week, reopened yesterday.

The swimming facility at Palolo District Park, which had been closed for about four weeks, reopens Monday.

"At least this is getting done before summer," deputy city Parks Director Gail Haraguchi said yesterday.

The Kapaolono swimming pool in Kaimuki reopened this month after being closed for about 2 1/2 years. The pool is open only on weekends and holidays as the facility searches for staff.

Two other municipal pools — Waipahu and McCully — remain closed for long-term renovations.

Meanwhile, lifeguards and swim instructors put in extra time at the Kailua pool this week to squeeze in the final hours of spring swim classes before the pool closes Monday for a scheduled two-month infrastructure repair project.

Workers will be ripping up concrete to repair leaks in the facility's underground drain system, Haraguchi said. The pool is expected to reopen in June in time for summer classes.

For Kailua pool regulars, repair work never comes at a good time, but often depends on funding, said Stephanie Araki, supervisor of the Kailua facility.

Winter — when pools are used less frequently — might be a better time for closures, but that season also is the worst time for construction, she said.

"There's just no good time at all," Haraguchi said.

For swimmers who want to continue their workouts while the Kailua pool is closed, the Kane'ohe swimming pool remains open for public use, she said.

"We're happy that our facilities are well-used," she said. "At least we have a public that clamors about it."

The Kailua pool's closing means that some groups, such as the Aulea Swim Club, will have to find a new home for the time being.

Kailua resident and Aulea Swim Club board member Keith Richmond said the club will be making do with practices at the Kailua YMCA and the Kane'ohe District Park pool. The timing of the closure is unfortunate because spring is when the club picks up many of its student members, he said.

"Since it's a little haphazard right now, it's hard to get swimmers to join," he said. "I anticipate for the whole year coming it's going to affect our membership."

Reach Kim Fassler at fassler@honoluluadvertiser.com.