LIHUE — If you ask any of the approximately three dozen people attending the blessing on Wednesday at the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center, their answer will be the same — bathrooms are important.
The blessing by Kahu Jade Waialeale Battad celebrated the completion of the stand-alone structure on the western end of the KPCC main building. The 700-square-foot building accommodates three bathrooms and a shower, improving access to bathroom and shower facilities for users of the southern side of KPCC.
That includes the Kauai Police Activities League, which leases the facility for its youth programs, including boxing, wrestling and other indoor activities.
“This is only my second bathroom project,” said Milani Pimental, the day’s emcee and the director at the Kauai Habitat for Humanity.
The structure that houses the bathrooms and shower is separate from the KPCC main building, said Sonya Topenio of the KPCC Committee. The two buildings are separated by a concrete sidewalk to keep users clean during rainy weather. Reinforcing the protection from rain, the eaves of both structures overlap coverage.
The concrete footing extends beyond the bathroom structure, and Topenio said nothing will be built on the concrete. Instead, the area will be used by groups who need staging for programs inside the main hall.
Akutagawa Architect was the project’s architect with Sixto Agoto doing the design. Wade Lord was the designated project manager. Alan Sweat and Sweat Construction, as well as members of the KPCC Building Committee, did the work.
Project funding was provided by the Hawaii Community Foundation, Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, and K-PAL.
Prior to the bathrooms being built, KPCC users on the south wing had to traverse the main hall to the north wing to use the bathrooms. The new bathroom facilities improves access to right around the corner.
And, the completion and blessing was done in time for Topenio to leave for a vacation.
Source: The Garden Island
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