Swimmers are getting used to a new normal with the reopening of Kawamoto Swim Stadium this week in Hilo.
Six of the county’s nine public swimming pools reopened Monday per Mayor Harry Kim’s June 25 emergency rule, which also allowed for the reopening of bars last month. Per the rule, some county campsites also reopened Monday with additional campsites to open Aug. 1.
Kupuna were excited to come back to the pool to exercise and get some physical therapy they have been missing since the March 25 lockdown began.
“I have gotten all sorts of out of shape during the pandemic,” Dennis Tong said. “Us kupuna have really missed the pool and getting the exercise we can’t achieve outside the water.”
Ten swimmers are allowed in Kawamoto at a time. Patrons are each separated by a lane while they swim laps for 45 minutes.
“I’m so glad to be back here. I had a great swim,” Joanne Yokote said. “It’s also good to see some young people here, too. Usually it’s just the kupuna.”
In order to enter any of the now open facilities, a person must be free of COVID-19 symptoms and have his or her temperature screened to make sure it is not greater than 100.4 degrees. Patrons also are asked to bring a bare minimum number of items to the pool because they are only given one chair for their stuff.
Inside the facility, patrons must adhere to social distancing and wear a mask outside the pool. The bleachers and locker rooms are closed and off-limits, and bathrooms are only available upon request.
Patrons are asked to rinse off in the showers when they arrive and can quickly rinse off when they leave. Although some people have been disappointed with the time allotted for showers post-swim.
“I really wish they’d give us time to shower after the swim,” Tong said. “I don’t feel sanitary after the pool, and I really don’t want to bring any of that home with me.”
Yokote and other patrons decided to bring jugs of water in their car to better rinse off after their swims.
Swimmers are given exactly 45 minutes for their swim, and staff clean for an hour before the next group arrives.
“I usually do two hours at a time, so this is much shorter,” Tong said. “I don’t mind, though. I’m happy to be here when I can get in.”
Swim lanes at Kawamoto are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. The county is working on an application system to pre-schedule swimmers in the future. The swim times are at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The Honokaa Swimming Pool remains closed due to active construction, and the NAS Swimming Pool is closed as it is serving as a site for emergency homeless housing. Laupahoehoe Swimming Pool will reopen after water clarity issues are resolved.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com
