Swimming Pool Re-opens

Amid jokes by county officials throwing each other in the pool, community members, lifeguards and administrators gathered last week to bless the re-opening of Cooke Memorial Pool. Molokai’s only pool underwent six months of renovations to its facility – revamping the roof, adding handicap accessibility ramps, and gutting the bathrooms.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding,” said Zach Helm, district supervisor for the county Department of Parks and Recreation. “The public of Molokai depend on this…if it shut down, everyone would be impacted.”

Residents who often use the pool were at last week’s blessing, including Aka`ula School’s swimming students.

“I’m excited to start training, to work on my strokes,” said seventh grader Kori-Lee DeRouin, adding that her favorite stroke is butterfly. “We’ve waited a while.”

Aka`ula School will be hosting a swim meet for all interested island youth in May. Parents or students should contact Vicki Newberry at 567-6981.