logo
Waimea Bay restrooms close for major renovations

Waimea Bay restrooms close for major renovations

Yahoo15-04-2025
COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
1 /2 COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
2 /2 COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
COURTESY DPR The Waimea Bay Beach Park restrooms will be closed, starting today, for several months of renovations.
The restrooms at the popular Waimea Bay Beach Park on Oahu's North Shore have been closed, starting today, for scheduled renovations.
City officials said the $687, 732 renovation project, which includes complete reconstruction of the comfort station's roof and bathroom repairs, will require the closure of the entire facility for at least five months.
The anticipated completion date of the renovations and reopening is by the end of September.
In the meantime, officials from the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation said a dozen portable toilets, including two ADA-accessible bathrooms, will be available to the public. The beach showers will also remain available.
No public parking is expected to be affected by the project. An area adjacent to the restrooms, however, will be used to stage equipment.
DPR staff are working with first responders to relocate their equipment and to ensure there is no disruption to emergency services during the renovations.
Don 't miss out on what 's happening !
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE !
Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA.
DPR said renovations begin with a complete roof reconstruction that will replace support beams and shingles at the restrooms, which were contracted out to Moriyama Construction Inc. at a cost of $687, 732.
Following the roofing work, in-house DPR maintenance staff will improve bathroom fixtures, partitions, and flooring.
'The facility restorations are part of DPR's effort to revitalize some of our most heavily used park facilities, such as playgrounds, outdoor courts, and bathrooms, ' said DPR in a news release. 'Since 2015, this has resulted in renovations to 176 comfort stations around the island. We greatly appreciate the patience and understanding of kamaaina and malihini (locals and tourists ) who plan on visiting Waimea Beach during this facility improvement effort.'
1 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our.
Having trouble with comments ? .
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Orange County Honors Workers, Veterans
Orange County Honors Workers, Veterans

Epoch Times

time11 hours ago

  • Epoch Times

Orange County Honors Workers, Veterans

Temperatures are still high, and so is the positive energy around Orange County. From youth gaining valuable work experience to honoring veterans and celebrating historic milestones, our community is buzzing with activity and purpose. I'll start by telling you about some of our youth who are getting hands-on experience participating in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). More than 360 teens and young adults ages 14 to 20 are spending their summer gaining real-world experience at local businesses and nonprofits. For more than 30 years, SYEP has been a cornerstone of youth development in Orange County, helping participants build skills, confidence, and connections that last long after summer ends. When you're out and about, look for participants proudly wearing their yellow SYEP badge with the county seal, and be sure to say hello! I'll also be visiting sites soon to learn about the impact these young adults are having, as well as the benefits they are receiving. The success of SYEP would not be possible without the hard work of our Employment and Training Administration staff and the support of the many businesses that open their doors to our youth. Thank you to organizations like Boys and Girls Club of Newburgh, High-Class Motorsports (Port Jervis), New Wonders Learning Center (New Windsor), Smokin Tattoo Studios (Goshen), Foeller Men's Shop (Middletown), City of Newburgh Recreation Department, Hudson Valley Christian Church (Newburgh), REACT (Rising Everyday Above Circumstances Together, Inc.), and LEGOLAND New York, among others. Last week, the county paused to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Hosted by Independent Living, Inc., the event celebrated how far we've come while acknowledging that there is still much work to do. County departments—including Health, Parks, Human Rights, Youth Bureau, Mental Health, the Sheriff's Office, the County Clerk, the Legislature, and my own office—all were recognized for efforts to improve accessibility. Self-advocates shared inspiring reflections on ADA's history, current progress, and the road ahead. As we move forward, Orange County remains committed to thinking differently, breaking down barriers, and improving accessibility for all. From inclusion, we turn to gratitude for those who have served. One of my favorite ways to connect with our veterans is through the Veteran Movie Event, hosted by our Veterans Service Agency with support from ShopRite and the Village of Monroe Movie Theater. These events are more than just a chance to enjoy a movie and some popcorn; they provide an opportunity for veterans to come together, share stories, and learn about the resources available to them. Speaking of those who have served, we also celebrated the 246th Anniversary of the Battle of Minisink, which is commemorated at the monument in downtown Goshen. The Minisink Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has faithfully honored the fallen militiamen for more than a century. Their names were read aloud, wildflowers were laid in tribute, and a rifle volley rang out in remembrance. It was a moving reminder of courage and sacrifice. Please remember, if you or someone you know is a veteran in need of support, reach out to the Veterans Service Agency at 845-291-2470 or visit Continuing the theme of celebrating and honoring, we recognize the outstanding contributions of our seniors. This year, we proudly recognize Terry and Jacqueline Murray of Cornwall and Donna Drybred of Goshen as Orange County's 2025 Seniors of the Year. The Murrays have spent decades championing education, the arts, youth wellness, and advocacy, from pioneering inclusive programs at Camp Robbins to supporting Fearless Hudson Valley and the Maya Gold Foundation. Donna Drybred's dedication to Goshen shines through in everything she does, from beautifying the town with the Garden Club to leading fundraisers for the Goshen Historic Track. These remarkable individuals remind us that service has no age limit, and giving back strengthens the entire community. They will receive their awards in the fall. Kudos to our Office for the Aging staff, led by Director Danielle Diana-Smith, for all that they do for Orange County's senior population.

The  Americans With Disabilities Act changed my life. Now my generation needs to fight for it
The  Americans With Disabilities Act changed my life. Now my generation needs to fight for it

Los Angeles Times

time4 days ago

  • Los Angeles Times

The Americans With Disabilities Act changed my life. Now my generation needs to fight for it

When the Americans With Disabilities Act was signed into law on this day in July 1990, my parents didn't yet know how much the landmark civil rights law would soon shape my life — and theirs. I was born profoundly deaf, but my parents didn't even know this part yet. I was 6 months old that summer, and hearing screenings for newborns weren't universal medical practice in those days. My parents had brought me home from the hospital thinking I was just like them — that is, hearing, someone who also lived amid sound and speech. But that August, just a few weeks after President George H.W. Bush signed the ADA on the White House's South Lawn, they learned otherwise. My sensory and linguistic world was fundamentally different from theirs. And thus my life would be too. My diagnosis came as a surprise for my parents. At first, they felt like they had no road map to follow. They didn't yet know American Sign Language. They knew nearly nothing about deafness, and they lived in a culture where disability was still too often classified as tragedy. But they jumped into their steep learning curve — and found the ADA waiting for us. Now, 35 years later, I am a member of the 'ADA generation,' which means I know what accessibility can be: an invitation into greater human community, as well as a precious right we must preserve for future generations. This truth is hitting me hard this summer. The ADA and I have come of age together, but modern life — and the future — now look different than I once thought it would. First, the good part: Thanks to the ADA, many more doors have opened to me than my parents could ever have imagined in 1990. From my youngest years, I had access to early intervention services. I had an Individualized Education Program in school, where I was the only deaf student, and I enjoyed learning from my teachers and peers through watching my ASL interpreters. I went to after-school sleepovers with my friends, where we all watched TV with the captions on. My closest friends learned ASL, and as an adult I've felt astonished at how much they still remember. Now they, too, know wider ways to communicate. The ADA has helped me figure out how to belong. Ever since I was a bookish kid, I knew that I wanted to travel, to write, to stay in school as long as I could, to have meaningful conversations with new friends and strangers. I just didn't know how I'd do some of these things — unless I somehow became hearing, too, when I grew up. News flash: I am still not hearing, but because of the power of accessibility, I've continued finding my way. I've lived abroad, completed my doctoral degree, written a book. I live a charmed life, and belonging to the ADA generation is one major reason why. Now the not-so-good part: The ADA is still the law of the land, but these are terrifying times for deaf and disabled people in America. Our lives are under threat in ways I never imagined when I was growing up. Our current president overtly scapegoats disabled people, as we've seen on numerous occasions, from mocking a disabled journalist in 2015 to baselessly blaming people with disabilities for the tragic plane crash in the Potomac River in January. This spring, his administration withdrew 11 pieces of federal accessibility guidelines intended to help businesses comply with the ADA. The budget bill signed on July 4 makes huge cuts to Medicaid, on which many disabled people rely to access healthcare and essential support services. Ongoing federal cuts, including to the Department of Education, threaten everything from special education to antidiscrimination policies for students with disabilities. The examples tumble on. It's time for the ADA generation to step up as we never have before. This means pressing into the legal and legislative fights ahead, calling representatives and engaging in protests. But it also means bringing our native-born knowledge to all our interactions, while pulling in others we know, people like my childhood classmates, who have witnessed the power of inclusion. We can support each other's access needs, even in the most everyday ways. We can speak out about what access has done for us. When I was growing up, I always took the ADA for granted. I thought of it as my birthright, when I thought of it at all. It was only 10 years ago that I began to see otherwise: During the 25th anniversary of the ADA in 2015, I watched the White House celebrations online and saw members of my generation, surrounded by disability activists who had been present for the law's passing. I saw how everyone in that room had their own distinctive ways of being and communicating, from wheelchairs to crutches to braille to ASL. And I also saw how they'd gathered with such vibrancy and joy. At age 25, I'd only just started to identify with the broader disability community, beyond the deaf culture that was much more familiar to me — but I recognized the deep resourcefulness of the people in that room, the communal spirit it takes to build more inclusive worlds. And I wanted everyone else to see it too. As the ADA and I are now 35, I see that we should not only celebrate those past disability activists but also embrace their approaches and bring the same doggedness and ingenuity to a new generation of challenges. We must keep providing care for each other, something that is always a political act in itself. I don't take the ADA for granted anymore. Instead, living in the world that it has made possible, here's what I know: Deaf and disabled Americans already belong. And accessibility already belongs to all of us, especially once we recognize how transformative it can truly be. Rachel Kolb is the author of the forthcoming memoir 'Articulate: A Deaf Memoir of Voice.'

Berkeley activist uses Disability Pride Month to promote disability quilt project
Berkeley activist uses Disability Pride Month to promote disability quilt project

CBS News

time5 days ago

  • CBS News

Berkeley activist uses Disability Pride Month to promote disability quilt project

Every July, Pride Disability Month gives Maya Morya Selkie Scott another reason to celebrate and cover herself in sequins, color, and a lot of fabulous glam. "I am a living, breathing, dancing, rainbow," said Scott. But for Scott, who uses an electric wheelchair to get around town, her colorful outfits are part of her daily routine that serves a dual purpose in life. "I am hyper visible whether I want to be or not, and I really chose to amplify joy, humor, curiosity, and creativity," she said. "But there is a strategy as well. I have almost been hit multiple times on the street, and part of the reason why I dress this way is so I can stay safe while in public." Being visible herself and making sure people living with disabilities are also visible has become her life mission as an activist and artist in residence for the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley. "Disabled people have been part of humanity since the beginning of time, and it hasn't been by accepting the lie of our invisibility, it has been by coming together, by doing civil disobedience, dancing in the streets, creating music and dance and art," said Scott. Her most recent project involves creating a quilt she calls the "Disability Justice Community Stories Quilt Project," which allows people to create and design their own panels to voice their own stories. "I was very impacted by being able to honor our ancestors in the AIDS Memorial Quilt," she said. "We hope the Disability Justice Quilt will carry the same power through a collective creation." It is a quilt that has already woven its way across the country, including parades and protests in the Bay Area, and this past April in Washington D.C., giving a national voice to educate people and politicians about disability rights. Many of those rights were established 35 years ago, when the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. The ADA prohibits discrimination based on disability in various areas, including employment, transportation, and public accommodations. Even before the ADA became law, the CIL in Berkeley became a haven and home for people with disabilities more than 50 years ago. Dr. Victor Pineda, who now serves as executive director, says the quilt is more than a piece of art; it's an artifact with a purpose. "I think when you interact with the quilt, you understand how our lives are woven together. You understand how we are stitching a better experience, how we can make our communities more resilient, and how we each have a role to play," said Pineda. For the past year, people have come together each month to create and design panels for the growing quilt to tell stories about family, love and struggle, justice and victories. So far, 20 panels have been made. "When people see the quilt, I want people to feel energy, emotion, rage, grief, and joy. And most deeply, I want people to feel love, connection, and hope," said Scott. Hope that will change the fabric of how their community is seen, one stitch at a time.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store