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Maui’s new pool
can’t hold water

Heavy leaks prompt the moving
of a state high school swim meet
to another location

Athletes, parents can't find rooms

By Gary T. Kubota
Maui correspondent

KIHEI, Maui -- The county's new swimming pool was supposed to be a showcase to draw swimmers from around the world.

But leaking water at the $4.6 million complex have forced Maui officials to move at least two statewide competitions this year to the old swimming facilities at the War Memorial Gym Complex in Wailuku.

One of the events, attracting hundreds of youths to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Competition, is to be held Friday and Saturday.

Association Executive Director Keith Amemiya said one of the factors that "cemented" the decision to have the competition on Maui was the plan to hold it at the Kihei aquatic center.

"It was because we thought the Kihei pool would be ready," Amemiya said.

By Gary Kubota, Star-Bulletin
This new Maui swimming complex is plagued by problems.

The pool was completed in December 1998, but Maui officials and the company that built the pool are still trying to fix the leaks at a cost estimated at more than $100,000.

County Parks Director Floyd Miyazono says 4,000 to 6,000 gallons of water is lost daily. Miyazono fears the water could eventually undermine the pool. "We're very concerned," he said.

Cracks are visible along one side of the Olympic-size swimming pool. Instead of bleachers on the south side of the complex, there are just holes in the concrete.

County officials have been negotiating with the pool's builder, Unlimited Construction, to repair the swimming pool.

County Managing Director Grant Chun said the company is expected to pay for the repairs.

Unlimited Construction already has fixed leaks in the underwater lighting system, said deputy Public Works Director David Goode.

Goode said repairs still need to be made to the walls of the pool where there was supposed to be a rubberized liner to prevent leaks.

Goode said there are engineering techniques that can be used to stop the water from leaking and the county is discussing with the builder the technique to be used in the repairs.

Miyazono said he hasn't aggressively pursued getting organizations to hold competitions at the swimming pool because of the problems.

But he said he expects the swimming pool to be repaired by August 2001. That's when the aquatics center will be the site of the Western zone championships attracting an estimated 1,200 swimmers.

Residents say despite the problems, they're still impressed with the appearance of the swimming pool.

The complex includes a warm-up swimming pool and wading pool, in addition to the Olympic-size pool, and also chair-lifts in the water for people in wheelchairs.

Kihei resident Jeanie Lassen said she's not bothered by the plywood boards blocking sections of the concrete structure under repair.

"It's not something I notice when I'm swimming," said Lassen.

Oregon resident Michelle Black, who lives three months of the year on Maui, said the swimming pool is an attraction for her and her two daughters who are learning to swim in it.

"We'll be back," she said.

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No room at the inns WAILUKU -- High school students competing in a statewide tournament on Maui this weekend and their parents are having difficulty finding accommodations at hotels and condominiums. Don Botelho, athletic director of Mid-Pacific Institute, said he's heard that some students will be staying at high school gyms on Maui. Hotel officials say the Presidents Day weekend is one of the busiest vacation periods on Maui. In addition to out-of-state visitors, Hawaii residents also visit Maui. "We're booked solid at all six properties," said Jerry Fellows, general manager of the Aston Kaanapali Shores. Student athletes and their parents often stay at the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului because of its relatively low room rates and proximity to Wailuku. But Maui Beach official Charlie Aruda said Asahi University is conducting a winter training camp and staying at the hotel. Hawaiian Arrangements travel executive Glenn Shea said some parents are upset that their children may be staying at a gym, after qualifying for the state meet. "These kids practice hard," he said. "They work hard."