Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Mililani rec center finally set to open

Question: What's the status of the recreation center at the corner of Meheula Parkway and Lehiwa Street in Mililani Mauka? It looks completed, but it's been closed and unoccupied for at least a year since we moved here. I heard there's a dispute with the developer over defects in workmanship. I pay association fees like everyone else here, so why the holdup?

Answer: First the good news: Recreation Center 7 is targeted to open Nov. 30.

That's 3 1/2 years later than originally scheduled because of problems with construction.

Castle & Cooke Homes Hawaii, the developer, "has done most of the repairs we requested," said Calvin Maeda, general manager of Mililani Town Association.

Some problems haven't resurfaced, "so they cannot really address it unless they see it happen again," he said. "But for the most part, they will be turning title over to us, and we're hoping to open the center to our members on Nov. 30."

The major problems involved roof leaks, condensation "and floor tiles coming up," Maeda said.

Repairs took longer than expected because they required engineering studies and additional design work.

Maeda said the only cost incurred by the association was to hire its own engineer and expert to determine the cause of some of the problems.

Groundbreaking for Recreation Center 7 was held in April 2003, and it was originally supposed to have opened in April 2004.

Despite the delay in the center's opening, Maeda pointed out that residents have access to six other recreation centers in the community.

"Our concern is the safety and liability if the facility is not ready for use," he said.

At this point no ceremony is planned when the center finally opens.

"We're more anxious to get it open. ... We've been waiting so long and pushing the developer," he said.

The recreation center features a swimming pool, wading pool and a multipurpose "semi gym," accommodating half-court basketball and full-court volleyball play.

It is the last recreation center planned by Mililani Town Association.

A youth center will not be opened until later, pending renovations, Maeda said.

Mahalo

To Bryson, Mike, John and Eric, employees at Punchbowl Jiffy Lube. We've all seen the slogan -- commit a random act of kindness. These guys did it. At about 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, on their own initiative and before their workday had begun, they observed a stalled car, town-bound, severely binding Punchbowl Street's congested two lanes of work-bound, already stressed-out commuters. These selfless guys ran down the street, directed traffic and, in little more than a minute, pushed the vehicle uphill and off the roadway, once again allowing commuters easy egress to the rest of their day! What a bargain -- not for the hapless motorist, but for the rest of us in this community of Hawaii nei. -- Chip Tilton, Kaneohe