[ OUR OPINION ]

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Palolo swimmers left high
and dry for too long

THE ISSUE Replacement of the tiles on the Palolo Valley District Park swimming pool began 10 months ago and isn't finished yet.

FOUR target dates for reopening the swimming pool at Palolo Valley District Park have come and gone, and it appears residents might have to wait even longer before they will be able to take a dip.

Replacing the pool's tiles has taken nearly 10 months, a ridiculous span for a fairly simple project. Disputes among contractors, subcontractors and the city, and excuses about rainy weather thwarting completion have resulted in an indefensible fiasco.

The city should take a good, hard look at how the Palolo repairs -- as well as three other recent pool renovations that cost taxpayers a total of $976,000 -- went awry. Officials should also present to the public a detailed accounting of the mess, fine the contractors to the full extent allowed and reconsider how it analyzes bids for such work.

When the city closed pools at Palolo, Kaneohe, Kanewai and Booth parks last year, it estimated that the facilities would be ready for swimmers in February. Three reopened tardily in May, but Palolo's has been delayed repeatedly. First reopening was set for March, then mid-June, then August and finally by Labor Day.

The sticking point -- or more appropriately nonsticking in this case -- has been that a "quick-drying" adhesive isn't holding tiles in place. So another adhesive will be used, one that requires a 21-day "curing" process that will further postpone use of the pool.

The contractor, KD Construction Inc., maintains that rain has hampered progress, but the company and its subcontractor, A-1 Construction, should have factored in weather when drawing up plans. Pool retiling isn't exactly rocket science, even on Olympic-size facilities. In addition, Palolo, like other valleys on Oahu, is known to receive light showers almost daily, and the tile work could have been covered to prevent problems.

The city says the contractor was chosen on "low bid, as specified by the state procurement code," but officials have an obligation to assess what taxpayers will get for their money, just as a homeowner checks for experience and references before hiring a company.

For children in summer fun programs, senior citizens who paddle for exercise, swim clubs who don't have a place to practice and scores of teenagers and others seeking a cooling plunge, the long, hot season will continue through fall.