State aid is sought to buy
swimming pool on Maui

The county may buy the pool,
used mainly by nearby school kids

By Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.com

WAILUKU >> State Rep. Joseph Souki has asked that the state help fund the purchase of a swimming pool primarily used by students from Iao Intermediate and Wailuku Elementary schools.

But Souki (D, Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu-Kahakuloa) said that until state Senate-House conferees meet in late April, he will not know if state legislators will have enough funds to support the purchase.

Souki, who said he does not yet know how much he will seek, hopes the state will be able to pay for 50 percent of the purchase and the county will pay the remainder.

"At least we're trying to push it through," he said.

The county has until July 31 to exercise an option to buy the property.

County officials noted that the swimming pool is within walking distance of their Iao and Wailuku schools.

The county, which takes care of maintenance and liability, has paid $1 a month in rent to the landowner for the 27,249-square-foot lot since 1984.

Mayor Alan Arakawa's administration plans to make a decision on how to proceed after obtaining an appraisal of the property, his executive assistant David DeLeon said.

DeLeon said the appraisal is expected to be completed in a couple of weeks.

Market-Wells Hui II LLC, the owner, is asking for $700,000 in cash and $300,000 in tax credits.

Hui manager Clifford Beppu said the $300,000 would cover the lease rent the hui could have collected from the county for use of the swimming pool based on fair market value.

Beppu said an appraisal paid by him valued the property at $700,000, but he is willing to discuss the asking price with the county.

"I'm willing to negotiate on some aspects of the deal," he said.

The property has business zoning and is designated as a commercial area in the Wailuku-Kahului Community Plan.

The pool, about 75 by 42 feet, was built before World War II and was used at one point by military servicemen when it was the Alexander House recreation center.

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County of Maui