Leaky Roofs and Pools Expose Incompetence in Hawaii Government

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The news in Hawaii has been filled with stories about persistent water damage and leaks at major public facilities like the Hawaii Convention Center and the State Capitol building. Despite repeated attempts and millions of dollars spent on repairs, these issues have not been fully resolved, raising questions about the competence of government officials and their ability to effectively manage large construction projects.

Why it matters

The inability to fix long-standing water intrusion problems at high-profile public buildings like the convention center and state Capitol reflects broader concerns about government efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Taxpayers are frustrated by the repeated failures and escalating costs, which divert resources from other important priorities.

The details

The Hawaii Convention Center has struggled with leaks since it opened in 1998, forcing the closure of rooms and delaying needed repairs due to maintenance deferrals and legislative inaction. After approving $100 million for repairs, officials now say the rooftop component alone will cost at least $87 million, and they are asking for an additional $55 million. Meanwhile, efforts to fix leaking reflecting pools at the State Capitol building have faced repeated delays and cost overruns, with the latest $47 million project to replace the pools with a glass lanai now facing procurement issues and a one-year delay.

• The Hawaii Convention Center opened in 1998 and began experiencing leaks shortly after.
• In 2020, the Department of Accounting and General Services gave up on ever fully leak-proofing the State Capitol reflecting pools.
• The Legislature approved $40 million in 2020 for a project to seal the Capitol pools and replace them with a glass lanai, with a target completion date of 2027.
• The cost of the Capitol pools project is now expected to rise from $40 million to at least $47 million, with completion delayed at least a year.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Lawmakers will decide whether to approve the additional $55 million requested for the Hawaii Convention Center repairs, as they face a tight budget and other pressing needs. The Capitol pools project is expected to be completed, with the glass lanai installation, sometime in 2028, a year later than originally planned.