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Natatorium opponents called the state's proposed saltwater pool rules a disgrace and a sham. Natatorium rules
called ‘disgrace’By Janine Tully
Star-BulletinMembers of the Kaimana Beach Coalition, which opposes restoration of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, said at a packed Department of Health hearing yesterday that the draft fails to address key health issues.
Major concerns are: water turbidity; presence of staphylococcus, a type of bacteria that causes boils and ear and eye infections; and presence of fecal bacteria.
"The rules do not address these problems," said coalition attorney Jim Bickerton. "When you confine water, reduce circulation and increase the number of people, the chances of staph infections increase."
The coalition wants the department to test for staph and fecal bacteria.
The department has said it cannot test for staph because there is no standard method to do so. But Bickerton said the state could get a base line of the amount of staph present at Kaimana Beach.
"If the department has some data, it could use that data. Open saltwater pools are dangerous," Bickerton said, noting that some drugs are becoming resistant to bacteria.
"We are not trying to stop the Natatorium," he said. "We are trying to protect Kaimana Beach." If the water draining into the ocean is polluted, it will affect the beach, Bickerton said.
"It is shameful that a community group must fight this hard to do the job the department should have done," said Rick Bernstein, a coalition member.
"The department has ignored the scientific work of its committee," he said. "This rules as proposed are a disgrace."
Bernstein would like to see additional monitoring of fecal bacteria, besides once a week.
"What if someone poops on Tuesday? The pool will be contaminated for six days before another test is taken," he said. "This is weird science."
Ralph Wheelock said the elderly and children are the most likely group to use the Natatorium and consequently the most vulnerable to infections.
"The present rules do not protect the public," he said.
Wheelock is also worried that contaminated water would be dumped into a children's swimming area next to the Natatorium. He also pointed out that Judge Gail Nakatani in 1999 ruled that the Natatorium was a saltwater pool and as such should be regulated by the state and follow standard sanitary measures.
But the state considered that would be too costly, Wheelock said, adding that political pressure has pushed the department to draft saltwater pool rules.