Pahoa Pool Closed

[TomK]

Thanks for catching that, riverwolf and pog. Just the other day I got a real bunch of racist abuse outside a 7/11 in Hilo just because I'm clearly not a "local". I've lived here many years, respect the local culture and get on with almost everyone, but this was an eye-opener.

unknownjulie, you ought to be ashamed. The pool is open to all people no matter what you think, and many locals drown in the ocean as well, not just tourists.

Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/

[dmbwest]

Tom just wondering ... Waht time and which 7/11 ? Was the parking lot full ? What were circumstances ?
Do you look like a rich white guy ? LOL 2 X !

aloha,
pog

P.S. This HAD to be random ... don't let it get to you.

[unknownjulie]

HOw interesting that I am "pegged a racist" when the person calling the Pahoa kids "brats" is not. OR the person saying that the locals dont "watch their kids" is not. I was at a private pool party at a mansion with only white people present when I witnessed what I actually would consider dangerous neglect of a 3 yr old in a pool. I dont think it's racist that I describe the scene. I also believe that the pool rules would be very different and would include "family swim times" if The Pahoa Pool was in a more affluent community. The community in Pahoa includes lot of low income families whose voices are rarely heard, and also lots of people with higher incomes- often childless- who seek to run things. And let me give an example- I personally know of a family who have 19 people living in a very small house (probably 800 sq feet or so). Do you think any of those people have easy access to a computer with uninterupted time to contemplate and blog, while simultaneously trying to feed and clothe members of the family that includes many children? Do you think any of the people living in that house have the time or resources to run for public office or volunteer? I suppose it could be done, but my point is that the "barriers to entry" are high in this type of situation, and the families that are living in situations like this are often flying completely under the radar.

[JG-HPP]

I had a great time in the aqua aerobics class until the pool closed and look forward to its resuming. I have never seen the staff as anything but kind and professional. Perhaps unknownjulie could contact the county and volunteer to work something up for the kid's pool. Of course she would have to also volunteer to monitor the sessions. Lifeguards are there for a specific reason and babysitting is not it. No child should be in the water without a responsible adult within arm's reach.

1 island 2 another

[Greg]

There are no compromises when it comes to safety. Little "floaties" are a false security and allow parents to let their attention wander while their toddler may be floating upside down. It's much better to "waterproof" your kids and teach them to swim. The Water Safety staff has enough to do without adding basic parenting to their responsibilities.

Instead of harping on what the Pahoa Aquatic facility is not; enjoy it for the treasure it is to our community.

Stay safe! Enjoy the pool!

[unknownjulie]

I agree that "people who complain should also be the people who do the work to change things" and also that "swim lessons of some type (family or formal) are really really important, and you should never take your eyes off young kids around water". I am currently busy volunteering in other aspects, but I do hope to have time in the future to address the "family pool time" issue at the Pahoa Pool.

[mar1957]

My daughter was a lifeguard,swim instructor during her high school/ college years.(Alaska)
She was under paid and so under appreciated!
The stress that goes with the job, she had to multi-task keeping the children safe in the water was the most important part but there also what goes on outside of the water- no running,no fighting,no eating/drinking- the first time she had to rescue a drowning child she was a emotional rack.
I know this is kinda off topic but I thought it might give a out look on/from the life guards seat.The job is not a easy one..

[Morningstar]

@unknownjulie, first if you are going to make a stink!!! Spell correctly, proof read your reply and check for runs, (that refers to proper punctuation) Then I can understand and take you a bit more seriously.

[Rob Tucker]

Now please, let's not get carried away with picking on each other. The topic is the closed Pahoa pool and everyone is entitled to their opinions. Spell checking is not required on Punaweb or we'd all be in trouble from time to time.

Assume the best and ask questions.

Punaweb moderator

[csgray]

When I was raising my kids there was a great indoor community pool in our neighborhood. They had all kinds of adult exercise classes during the day, kids classes in the afternoons and summers, family swim 3 nights a week plus Sundays, adult swim times, lap swim times, and a swim team. They were a very well run "family friendly" facility with very strict rules on what was allowed during family swim: no water wings, no inner tubes and no rafts were all strictly enforced for safety reasons, but they also had a big bucket of approved water toys for everyone to use. Everyone was happy because different competing needs were all accommodated at different times, so adults who don't want to deal with screaming kids knew when to go there, and no one was trying to keep 4 year old kids swimming laps.

Maybe the solution for the Pahoa Pool would be some scheduling changes and a honest discussion with all the stakeholders (parents, lifeguards, risk management) about how to make it work for everyone, before they reopen.

Carol