We are now posting changes to the class schedule on our Facebook Page, so look there for the latest updates.

Aloha Ohana,                                                                                                                                     January 2012

It is a sad day today as we write this letter.  We have been working relentlessly in hopes that the County will continue allowing us to serve the community, however the County feels they can handle all the swimming lessons themselves and have cut our program in Kihei and Central, with UpCountry being cut next.  The County feels they will be able to conduct swimming lessons at the same caliber and expertise as we have done for the last four years.  The aquatics department feels their jobs are threatened as Mayor Arakawa has proposed to turn over all public pools to private vendors, thus eliminating their positions.  The lifeguards think if they take over all swimming classes, the mayor will see them as vital, contributing County employees, in hopes that he will change his mind.  This is a last ditch effort on their part at the expense of our learn-to-swim participants. 

We are a non-profit organization and according to the County rules, regulations, by-laws, etc. we should be able to request a permit as any other non-profit organization, however the aquatics department is denying our non-profit status and will not issue a permit to us under this status.  This is wrong and frustrating to say the least, making it more so after they warned us not to push the issue or make it public.  The aquatics department and/or County have complete control and can interpret the regulations/rules/laws to fit what they want it to regardless of the actual written words.  They told us in no uncertain terms that we needed to "play nice or else".

We sent  you a link within the newsletter to complete an evaluation form as well as contact information for the County.  It would be wonderful if you could complete that and submit it to the four main contacts (listed on the second page of the form).  The more noise, the better.

We are looking for alternatives such as private pools, hotels and condo pools.  If you have a pool or access to a pool and would be willing to work with us to conduct lessons, please let us know.  We would be happy to come to an agreement of terms as well as sign a contract.  We have a one-million liability insurance policy, which would cover the property and the individuals/owners.  Please let us know if this is something you’d be willing to assist us with so we can continue offering swimming lessons to our community.

We thank you for your patronage over the last four years and hope we will be able to continue to serve you.  If you are a Kihei participant, we would love to see you in our UpCountry classes!  Again, we will be happy to service you in your pool, just let us know.

Mahalo Nui,
Kelly & Joe

 

Live Weather Forecast: http://www.wunderground.com/printer/cityforecast.asp?MR=1

The decision to cancel classes, due to poor weather conditions or pool closures, will be made at 8:00 am.  If cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, we will NOT make-up the class.  If we cancel a class for another reason, we will work with you to figure out a make-up class. We will make-up classes only within a group class; no special individual classes. *Please see the make-up class policy.  

Forecasts are gathered from the National Weather Service and Weather Underground.

All classes which are still open are listed on the website/Google Calendar.

Any class which is cancelled will be noted on the Registration Form and the Google Calendar.  We generally send emails to anyone enrolled in a cancelled class.

 

 

Sakamoto Pool Closed until further notice!