Opening with a SPLASH

KAPAA — Wailua resident Kathleen Davidson was back at the Kapaa swimming pool Tuesday during its reopening and is pleased with the results of the renovations.

“It’s very clean and nice and easily accessible,” she said.

Davidson has long loved swimming.

“I was born and raised on Oahu and we always swam,” she said. “You feel so good afterwards. You feel absolutely rejuvenated.”

Despite having multiple surgeries all within the last year, Davidson continues to swim to stay healthy.

“I’ve always swam. It’s very good mentally, physically and emotionally,” she said. “(It helps) to clear your head and get a good idea of what you’ll be doing the rest of the day.”

The Kapaa pool reopened its gates this week after having been closed for several months to allow for renovations.

“We’re happy it’s open now. My son loves the pool,” Kapaa resident Nina Snyder said of the public pool. “It’s awesome. The bathrooms are very nice.”

The renovations cost $300,000 and focused primarily on fixing the restrooms, locker rooms and shower facilities and replacing the fencing.

“[It’s] way better than before,” she said.

Kapahi resident Sue Saldana agreed the renovations were needed. “It’s just a great resource for the public,” she said.  “It’s free and it’s just good exercise.”