Officials say a community call to save a historic manmade lily pond on Nu'uanu Pali Drive from being filled in is premature, and stress they still haven't made a decision on what to do with the pool.

"We're looking at what options we have," said Board of Water Supply spokeswoman Su Shin, adding that it's not even clear if the pond is under the agency's control.

"Assuming it is our responsibility, then at that point we would need to take a look at ... what we would want to do about safety-type liabilities."

Shin said the board is looking at the liability of the pond — which is at least 75 years old and has long been a popular gathering spot for families — as part of an islandwide review of safety and security at its properties. She added that there have been no previous incidents there to spur specific liability concerns.

The pond is at least 4 feet deep in places and is connected to a stream, which usually keeps it from getting stagnant. The stream that feeds it, though, has had a low flow recently, which has left the pond dry — as it was Wednesday.

Though it's called a lily pond, the lilies the water feature is known for died months ago because of little to no water.

Filling in the pond is one of the options being considered, but fencing or other security measures could also be installed.

Residents have been trying to figure out the future of the pond since early September, when a Board of Water Supply employee working at the pond told a passer-by that the agency planned to fill it in. Shin said the discussion, based on false information, sparked a panic among residents who frequent the pond.

Shin made a short presentation at the Nu'uanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board on Tuesday to allay concerns, stressing that the Board of Water Supply would not make a decision on the pond before talking to the community.

But residents say they're far from reassured. Paula Kurashige, vice chairwoman of the neighborhood board, said part of the problem is that residents found out about the pond possibly being filled in by happenstance — not from the board.

"A lady walking up there ... found out they were draining it and filling it in," she said, adding that the pond is a "historic area" and should be preserved.

Longtime Nu'uanu resident Shannon Wilson, who lives near the pond and whose grandfather's firm built it, said the water feature is a "nice gathering place." The large circular pond is used by residents as a place to have picnics or enjoy quiet afternoons, she added. And kids frequent the spot to fish and play.

Shin said the board didn't take the issue to community members earlier because it is still unclear whether the agency has jurisdiction over the pond. The board is working with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to figure out which agency owns it. Once that is determined, then the board will look at its options.

The pond is next to a Board of Water Supply aeration facility.

Shin said workers mow the grass around the pond, but do not actively maintain it.

"It's not part of our water system," she said, adding that the review of what do with the pond is not "super-high on our priority list," so a final decision on whether to fill in the pond or secure it with fencing could be months away.

"This whole discussion is premature," she said.

Meanwhile, The Outdoor Circle has gotten involved and says the board shouldn't even be considering doing away with the pond.

"I look at this as being a lot of bureaucratic double-talk," said Bob Loy, Outdoor Circle spokesman. "The pond is a valuable resource that our citizens use to help replenish themselves."