In the revitalization of Waikiki’s Beach Walk from a congested retail area into a lively entertainment district, the City and County of Honolulu planners prevented attractive antique-style lampposts from aging prematurely by specifying a fluoropolymer coating system from Tnemec. “The revitalization has been continuing for several years,” according to Tnemec coating consultant Brian Deer. “They’ve improved the Beach Walk with new artwork and fountains, new traffic signals, and old-style lampposts, extending along the main drive that passes in front of the Hilton Hawaii Village.”
The standard color for light poles in Hawaii is a deep forest green, but in the past, the use of alkyd and polyurethane coatings resulted in premature fading. So when replacement street lights were ordered as part of the revitalization, the coating specification called for a two-coat system designed to provide long-term color and gloss protection against ultraviolet (UV) light and coastal conditions.
The galvanized steel lampposts were abrasive blasted by the fabricator prior to receiving a spray-applied coat of Series 27 F.C. Typoxy, a polyamide epoxy ideally suited for steel fabrication that provide fast curing and rapid handling capabilities.
The fabricator also spray-applied a topcoat of Series 1070 Fluoronar, a high-solids, high-gloss fluoropolymer coating. Fluoronar was chosen for its durability as well as its outstanding performance in severe coastal exposures. Tnemec fluoropolymer coatings contain the highest-quality colorfast pigments for added UV stability in demanding exterior architectural applications. Fluoronar exceeds the color and gloss of polyurethanes, which are considered to be the industry standard for exterior topcoats.
The Waikiki Beach Walk is home to dozens of specialty retail shops and restaurants, nearly 4,000 hotel rooms, and entertainment destinations which are part of the revitalization effort. “The state is also working to restore Waikiki Beach, which has been shrinking over the past decade because of erosion,” Deer added. “The work is scheduled for completion in spring of 2010.”
Waikiki Beach is one of Hawaii’s most popular destinations for both tourists and residents. The revitalization effort has involved the demolition and replacement of aging properties with new hotels and a new entertainment and shopping complex with wide setbacks from the street, enhanced by flagstone sidewalks, tropical foliage, water features, and historical markers that tell the story of old Waikiki.