Don't be ruled by your past. Don't be crippled by the past. Let the past be the past and focus on what is ahead. A great reason why a gloomy history may repeat itself is that we may have neglected what history did. When we neglect what history did, history visits us in the same cloth. - Ernest Agyemang Yeboah We cannot change the past. We can only take action in the present and, therefore, change the future. - Ken Poirot

1. We can all learn a lot from our pasts
The past is there for you to study and learn from it so that you can make your future better
You can use your past experiences to become more efective, more productive, and even wiser
Although you should never let your past defne you, you should equally not forget
the potential it ofers for the present and the future
Norbert Juma, Lead Editor, Everyday Power
IGE SEEKS $30 MILLION TO REPAIR CAPITOL REFLECTING POOLS
Some lawmakers questioned the project, with one calling the maintenance costs a “nightmare”
By Kevin Dayton, Honolulu Civil Beat, January 14, 2021
<https://www.civilbeat.org/beat/ige-seeks-30-million-to-repair-capitol-refecting-pools/>
Gov. David Ige's administration is proposing to spend $30 million over the next
two years to overhaul and repair the refecting pools that surround the Hawaii State
Capitol, an architectural water feature in a historic building that has leaked and
collected algae for years.
Among other fxes, the plan calls for rebuilding and repairing the walls around the
pools and installing a substructure or “false bottom” to the pool to make it more
shallow. That means it would require less water and be easier to maintain,
according the Department of Accounting and General Services [DAGS]. The
improvements would also include re-engineering the pools so they can be fltered
and treated with chlorine, said state Comptroller Curt Otaguro. Otaguro said
something needs to be done because the pools have deteriorated over the past 50
years since the Capitol frst opened. The pool on the Diamond Head side of the
building has been leaking, which prompted the state to move staf out of at least
one ofce below. [Emphasis Supplied]
State Reprepresetative Bert Kobayashi urged DAGS to reconsider its request,
“I think the money spent to repair, renovate the State Capitol have been a bit
of an embarrassment over the decades. It seems that it’s a never-ending task. I
think that maybe, at least in these times, consideration should be given to
draining the pool and perhaps delaying the renovation work of $30 million if it
can be done without further damage to the Capitol building itself.”
__________________________
The following is an article was published on March 2, 2018 and distributed to address
the Capitol Refecting Pools stagnated murky swamp, and thoughts on possible solutions.

2. STATE OF HAWAII
CAPITOL REFLECTING POOL
Chad Blair: Draining The Swamp At Hawaii's Capitol
As the 50th anniversary of the historic building nears, it's high time to fx the murky refecting pools
February 15, 2018, accessed March 2, 2018
<http:www.civilbeat.org/2018/02/chad-blair-draining-the-swamp-at-hawaiis-capitol/>
The murky accumulation of algae, scum and slime has been a problem for decades.
Legislators have been frustrated by the state's seeming inability to resolve the mess.
This is not the frst time Sen. Mike Gabbard, the author of the now- deferred pool bill, has
pushed for a solution. Just three ears ago, for example, he wrote a Community Voices piece
for Civil Beat titled It's Time To Fix The Hawaii State Capitol Refecting Pools.
Gabbard wrote:
Over the years the pool has leaked many times, causing damage to the electrical system
and air conditioning in the building.
Furthermore, it costs $100,000 annually for state workers to continually clean the pool
waters, which are fed by the brackish water from wells. The latest estimate is it would
take approximately $15.2 million to fx the Refecting Pools.
Unfortunately, even if we spent that much money, we'd still have to come back in
several years and do it all over again, because there will always be leaks.
HAWAII STATE CAPITOL
<https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii_State_Capitol>
[Citations Omitted]
The Hawaii state Capitol's distinct architectural features symbolize
various natural aspects of Hawaii. Among them:
• The building is surrounded by a refecting pool, symbolizing the Pacifc Ocean.
• The two legislative chambers are cone-shaped, symbolizing volcanoes that formed the
Hawaiian Islands.
• The columns around the perimeter of the building have shapes resembling royal palm
trees. There are eight columns in four rows at either side of the building, representing
the eight main islands of Hawaii; sets of eight items appear in other places inside and
along the outside of the building.
• The Capitol is built with an open-air design allowing sun, wind, and rain to enter, the
central atrium opens to the sky and rainbows can sometimes be seen inside the building
when it rains.
• Four kukui nut trees are a numerical reference to the four main counties in the State of
Hawaii. Sets of four items appear in many other places in the building.
• When standing in the center of the structure, the chandeliers from both legislative

3. chambers, which represent the sun and moon, can be seen through the glass walls,
while the area is normally reserved for a rotunda in most capitol buildings is left open
to the sky. It is said that the sky is Hawaii's capitol dome.
Refecting pool algae issue
From the time the Capitol was completed in 1969, the pool has had a persistent algae growth
problem, due partly to the fact the pool is fed with brackish water from on-site wells.
Attempts by the state to fx the problem included introducing tilapia fsh into the pool and
installing an ozone treatment system. The state currently has the pool scrubbed manually with
enzymes added to the water to combat growth.
Some Capitol regulars say the algae growth has come to represent the pollution of the Pacifc
Ocean, in an ironic twist of the original symbolic meaning of the pool.
________________________________________________________
LINCOLN MEMORIAL REFLECTING POOL
WASHINGTON, D.C.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE (NPS)
WIKIPEDIA
<https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Memorial_Refecting_Pool>
[Citations Omitted]
The Lincoln Memorial Refecting Pool was designed and constructed by Henry Bacon, and was
constructed in 1922 and 1923, following the dedication of the Lincoln Memorial. It holds
approximately 6,750,000 U.S. gallons (25,500,000 L) of water.
Restoration
Using funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the National Park
Service reconstructed the Lincoln Memorial Refecting Pool. The pool's water supply system was
updated to eliminate stagnant water by circulating water from the Tidal Basin;
The pool was formerly flled using potable water from the city.1
Source: “Aquatic Plants for Water Quality Maintenance in Water Features and Fountains” By Mary
Willieford-Blair, Catherine Dewey, and Walter Zachritz. National Park Service. April 28, 2014, accessed
March 2, 2018 <https:www.ncptt.nps.gov/blog/aquatic-plants-for-water-quality-maintenance-in-water-features-an-fountains/>
_____________________
Paved walking paths were added to the north and south sides of the pool to replace worn grass
1“Managing water features is a monumental task National Mall and Memorial Parks has more water features than any
other park service unit. Fountain management plans include standard operating procedures that are specifc for each
water feature and include water treatment options. This can vary from mechanical, chemical, biological, and abiotic
treatments. Light plus food equals algae. This food in the water supply could be there through your water supply fling
source. The municipal water supply in DC changed from chlorine to cloramine water treatment in 2000. The resultant
leaching of lead from pipes made the use of orthophosphate necessary in 2004. Since then there have been increased
algae problems and fountain stainings. Also the city water is not treated for algae until there are complaints of musty
smells from the water. By that time our pools have been inoculated with algae because water fowl can truly be water
foul and their droppings can provide a very good nutrient for which algae can feed upon.”

4. and to prevent further erosion. Construction on the 18-month, $30.7 million project began in
November 2010.
Post-restoration operation
Within weeks of the park's reopening in 2012, it had to be drained and cleaned at a cost of
$100,000 due to algae in the pool.2
The algae growth was so extensive it almost completely
covered the surface of the water.
Using an ozone disinfectant system installed during the renovation, the National Parks Service
said it would double the amount of algae-killing ozone in the pool to control future outbreaks.
The Refecting Pool was completely drained in June 2017 to control a parasitical outbreak. The
parasite, which causes swimmer's itch, infects snails which inhabit the pool. More than 80 ducks
and ducklings have died at the pool due to parasitical infection since May 20.
________________________________________________________
HOW TO USE ORGANIC PEROXIDE IN KOI PONDS
SFGATE Home Guides
<http://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-organic-peroxide-koi-ponds-101056.html>
2 “Previously, draining the refecting pool has taken up to three weeks, but Johnson said Park Service ofcials
think it can be complete the work in a shorter time. The cost of draining the pool and removing the algae is
estimated at $100,000 and will require 65 contractors along with Park Service staf members working full time. ~
Carol Johnson, Spokeswoman with the National Park Service” Source: “Lincoln Memorial refecting pool is
drained to remove algae” By Candace Wheeler. The Washington Post. October 3, 2012, accessed March 2, 2018
<https://www.washintonpost.com/local/lincoln-memorial-reflecting-pool-is-drained-to-remove-algae/2012/10/03/9b82bf4e-0da6-11e2bd1a-
b868e65d57eb_story.html?sw-bypass=true&utm_term=.7d5f4e16a84d>
_____________________
While we often think of algae as being a bright green growth in a nutrient solution or on substrate
surfaces, the huge number of algal species means their appearance can range in color from lime
green, to a bubbly black, to brown.
Algae are common in many water sources such as rivers and streams, ponds, lakes and rainwater
storage tanks.
Algae spores are everywhere and are usually dispersed in soil or water, or on plant or organic
material. They also travel on wind currents, in the air, mixed with dust or are transported via
living carriers including insects, animals and humans, thus making them impossible to avoid.
Algae will regrow quickly after applications of algaecide products, requiring more chemical to
get good control.
When algae growth becomes thick and widespread, the best option ids to clean up the whole
system after plant removal, and often this requires a good scrub of all surfaces to dislodge
stubborn algae, well as running hydrogen peroxide, chlorine and other sterilization agents through the
system, then rinsing well with water before replanting.
Source: “Algae Growth in Your Hydroponic System: Friend or Foe” By Lynette Morgan. Maximum
Yield. August 17, 2017, accessed March 2, 2018 <https://www.maximumyield.com/algae-friend-or-foe/2/1180>

5. ALL THINGS KOI AND H2O
Hydrogen peroxide H2O2
Facts for use in the koi pond
By Duncan Grifths
<http://www.koiquest.co.uk/hp1.htm>
THE TRUTH ABOUT PONDS ACCORDING TO THE FISH LADY
By Barbara Johnson
Before we can fully understand our ponds, we need to know more about the cycles, seasons, and
balance, which are all controlled and guided by Mother Nature.
Ponds are not natural, we ̶ mere mortals make them as “natural” as possible, and what they are is
a re-circulating system with waste. In nature the water will eventually end up in the ocean, never
to come back to its point of origin, this is not the case with ponds.
Ponds are a puzzle and every piece, as small as it may be, connects to the next and then the
next...if one element is out of balance, a domino efect will occur. It is never just one thing that
makes a pond less perfect, it is the combination of all elements. In Nature, it is all about
BALANCE.
Pond water quality is dependent on a stable PH, water hardness, the right amount of carbonates,
high oxygen content, and minimum to no ammonia, nitrate and nitrate levels.
Ponds are an expense! They must run 24/7 in order for the pieces of the puzzle to come together
and give us that picture perfect environment.
I have had many fsh for over 30 years and through much trial and error and deaths, I have come
to the conclusion that it can only work well if we absolutely pay attention and listen to Mother
Nature! Evolution and change, we must go with the flow.
Barbara D. Johnson / The Fish Lady
Barbara Johnson, The Fish Lady. Credentials̶ Certifcations: The University of Georgia –
Veterinary Department in Koi Management; The University of North Carolina – Veterinary
Department of Fish Health Management. Memberships: Zen Nippon Arinkai So. Cal Club Chapter
(29 years); The Professional Pond Builders Association, Inc.; The North American Water Garden
Society; The National Association of Pond Professionals; The International Landscapers Alliance.
Source: The Fish Lady <http:www.thefshlady.com/the-truth-about-ponds.html>