A lifeguard tower that sat idle amid cornstalk-high weeds at a landlocked park in East Honolulu for the past three years finally was installed yesterday at Rock Piles, a popular surf spot on the North Shore.

The tower was purchased by the city several years ago, but contract problems delayed the installation of the modern fiberglass structure at its intended home near Sunset Beach, said Ralph Goto, city Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division administrator.

The installation was made possible after a private contractor offered to install the tower below normal cost and a private donation paid the bill, Goto said.

"It was always destined for Rock Piles," Goto said. "We had construction issues, availability problems from the manufacturer and shipping issues."

The new tower — with tinted windows and flow-through ventilation — will replace an old wooden tower. The city has ordered five more new towers — one for Hale'iwa Ali'i Beach Park and two each for Makaha and Poka'i Bay.

Still needing new lifeguard towers are Ma'ili and Nanakuli beaches, Goto said.

"We want to try to finish the Leeward Coast as soon as possible," he said. "The new towers are an improvement for the lifeguards."

Lifeguard Lt. John Hoogsteden called the new tower "a tremendous asset," adding that "we'll be so much better sheltered here."

The city began replacing its old orange lifeguard towers with the sand-colored fiberglass models six years ago, Goto said. The new towers cost about $25,000 each. Additional funding is needed to install the structures.

The original plan called for all 30 towers to be installed by the end of 2006. The city has erected 18 and must install 12 more. The focus for installation of new towers is along the Leeward Coast, Goto said. The last area to get the new towers will be Ala Moana Beach Park.

Reach Suzanne Roig at sroig@honoluluadvertiser.com.