A new Honolulu law requires some new or renovated buildings such as arenas and theaters to allocate twice as many toilets for women as toilets and urinals for men. Some people are applauding the new law while others call it a waste of money.

Karen Iwasaki, a hair stylist, said she has waited in long lines for the women's restroom and hopes the law ends the inconvenience, especially at crowded events. She said most of the time she waits no longer than a few minutes but sometimes much longer.

"I once went to a concert at the stadium and stood in line for a long time," said Iwasaki, 27. "I think it is a good idea."

But Ku'ulei Akao, an insurance claims adjuster, said the law is just another example of the government wasting money. She perceives long lines to be somewhat of a nuisance, but said it isn't worth spending money on.

"The money should be spent for other purposes. What about potholes and schools?" said Akao, 25, as she stood outside an office building on break.

The law, proposed by City Councilman Charles Djou and signed into law last week by Mayor Mufi Hannemann, requires any new or renovated "Group A" event facility that attracts crowds to allocate twice as many toilets for women as for men (the men's total includes urinals).

Group A facilities include sports arenas, concert halls, movie theaters and other buildings that cater to spectators.

The amendment to the building code took effect immediately but applies only to new or renovated facilities. The law also applies to any bathroom open to the general public in any place of assembly that is altered at a cost of more than $500,000 in any 12-month period.

City spokesman Bill Brennan said the law will not have an immediate effect, since no major renovations are planned for city facilities such as the Blaisdell Center or Waikiki Shell. Instead, the law is a "look toward the future."

John Fuhrmann, city events and services manager, said the limited number of women's stalls at the Waikiki Shell will be increased eventually independent of the new law because renovation costs will not rise to the levels specified.

The bathrooms at Blaisdell Concert hall were expanded in 1991 and again in 2003, Fuhrmann said. State law requires only seven stalls there, but the city increased that to 34 women's stalls to ease the lines.

Akao, the insurance claims adjuster, said she has experienced long lines but has "just come to expect it."

Concerts and nightclubs are the most common places Akao said she has had to wait in line. She said she has not had problems at movie theaters. "They seem to have enough," she said.

For her, the bottom line was the government's priorities.

"There really are other things money could be spent on," she said.

Another new law extends the period during which the city may adjust errors in property taxes. The mayor allowed the bill authorizing that extension to become law without his signature.

The law extends the two-year error adjustment period to five years for duplicate assessments and clerical errors such as transposition of figures, typographical errors and errors in calculation.

In a written statement to the City Council, Hannemann said extending the adjustment period to five years could have "adverse consequences" on the fiscal stability of the city, whose budget depends heavily on property tax collections.

"I feel that the current two-year period for adjustments strikes a prudent balance between providing for taxpayer relief and the fiscal responsibilities of the city," he said.

Reach Loren Moreno at lmoreno@honoluluadvertiser.com.