Councilmember Stanley Chang Announces City to Begin Work on Waikiki Restrooms

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REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER STANLEY CHANG’S OFFCE —City Councilmember Stanley Chang today announced that the City will begin work on renovating nine comfort stations in Waikiki. The City previously announced their plans in April of this year; however, delays in securing building permits and delivery of materials prevented construction till now. 

“This is welcome news and long overdue,” said Councilmember Chang whose office has been receiving numerous complaints about the restrooms for the past two years. “Along with the other issues Waikiki has to contend with, such as crime and a growing homeless population, this is one step to ensure Waikiki’s position as a world-class destination for tourists, residents and kama’aina.”

The scope of the project includes the replacement of toilets, urinals, toilet partitions, sinks, electrical fixtures, ceramic tiles and painting. These repairs will take place at the comfort stations at: Kuhio Beach, Ohua Street, Queen’s Surf Beach, Kapiolani Tennis Courts, Kapiolani Bandstand, Kapiolani Old Driving Range, Hale Lua, and Waikiki Playground.

Visitors have lodged several complaints on the conditions of the restrooms to the Aloha Ambassadors from the Waikiki Business Improvement District Association (WBIDA), which provides hospitality and streetscape maintenance services in Waikiki.

“Clean, well-maintained restroom facilities are essential to a positive guest experience,” said Jan Yamane, Executive Director of WBIDA. “We are very pleased that the City Department of Parks and Recreation is embarking on this important renovation project.”

The Waikiki Improvement Association (WIA), whose organization works with government and private entities to enhance the visitor experience in Waikiki, echoes those sentiments.

“Waikiki’s public restrooms are without a doubt the busiest in the state,” said Rick Egged, President of WIA. “It’s gratifying to see the City moving forward on this much needed restoration not only for our visitors, but for our residents and the businesses in Waikiki as well.”

According to the City’s Department of Design and Construction, the comfort stations are under constant repair. The latest repair was done this year in which urinals were removed and pipes were cleaned to reduce some of the odor. The last major repair was done in 2003 in which many of the bathroom floors were washed and recoated.

The cost for the project is estimated at $813,000 and is expected to be completed early next year.

 

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