Q. I live in Waikiki and am concerned about the surfer statue fountain on Kalakaua Avenue near the wall at Kuhio Beach. I notice it has been without water for months. It's such a cool water feature when it is working. Could you tell me the problem and when it will be working again?

A. The problem with the surfer statue fountain ends up being something of a clash between art and practical function. City Parks and Recreation Director Lester Chang said because of the statue portion of the fountain, the city Office of Culture and the Arts looks after the sculpture.

But since the fountain is a public water feature, he said it must also be chlorinated and the chemical was corroding the sculpture.

"It was eating away at the surfer sculpture," Chang said. So now the city is trying to figure out how to convert the sculpture into a dry display that still showcases the artwork without requiring corrosive chemicals.

"We're looking at what to do with the base," Chang said.

Q. I was wondering about that fountain in the median near the Waikiki library; I believe it's called the Thurston Triangle Fountain. It apparently hasn't been working since as far back as June as far as I can find out. I'd like to know when it last worked and what the problem is. If it is chronic, is there a possibility of not restoring the water but keeping it as a dry feature?

A. City Parks Director Chang said there are a few issues with that fountain and admits it has been months since it was working. The first step was identifying the mechanical problem. And that part seems solved.

"We finally figured out what we need to do," Chang said. "We need to replace the motor with a less powerful one."

He said the city expects to get it running again by next month.

The second problem involves logistics. There are no other fountains nearby and most fountains require daily maintenance.

"Otherwise, the filters clog and motor burns out," Chang said. He said the city has a private contract for similar maintenance but is looking to keep costs down and maintenance up. "We're working on it," he said.

Although you suggest not returning the water to the fountain, Chang said he is not sure whether that is a decision that the community and supporters of placing the fountain there in the first place would support.

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