EDITORIAL Rethink Natatorium plan

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 29, 2009

Demolishing the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium might not be the inexpensive way to deal with the deteriorating landmark that Mayor Mufi Hannemann was advised it would be.

Previously unforeseen costs of demolition should cause the city to instead consider renovating and maintaining the memorial when it becomes feasible in a recovered economy.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is recommending restoration of the memorial, pointing out that demolition would involve extensive environmental studies that could result in rejection of such a course. The memorial was built in 1927 to honor the veterans of World War I and is included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Closed in 1963 because of poor water quality, the pool where Duke Kahanamoku once swam laps was cited for restoration at a projected cost of $6.1 million during the administration of Jeremy Harris. Hannemann immediately canceled the plan upon taking office in 2005, calling it a waste of tax dollars. He assigned a task force this year to look further into the issue.

The Army Corps of Engineers has determined that turning the pool into a sandy beach would cost $1.7 million to $6.3 million, not counting the cost of the demolition itself. Restoring it has been estimated at several times that amount.

However, National Trust attorney Brian R. Turner asserted in a letter to the mayor’s task force last week that “several environmental and historic preservation laws” could drive the cost of demolition much higher. It could include preparation of an environmental impact statement to address concerns about destroying an historic site and adversely affecting the quality of the environment, with no guarantee of ultimate approval.

Turner noted that demolition also could pose a risk to threatened or endangered species off the Waikiki coastline. He pointed out that the Corps of Engineers has indicated that the Sheraton Hotel’s proposal to create a beach off the Waikiki coast may require an examination of its effect on “fishery resources” to adhere to federal law. Demolition could trigger a similar examination, Turner suggested.

As for a legal requirement that an expensive mechanical pump system for frequent flushing be installed at the pool, Turner proposed that the law be changed. That might be justified but only if concerns that reducing staphylococcus, a bacteria that causes pus in boils and abscesses, are shown to be unfounded.

http://www.starbulletin.com/editorials/20090829_Rethink_Natatorium_plan.html

Related posts:

1. Honolulu Star-Bulletin Editorial Board Urges Restoration
2. The fight goes on!
3. Natatorium Makes Front Page News!

The Natatorium’s personal page on Facebook has a new custom URL: http://www.facebook.com/waikiki.natatorium

The Natatorium also has a fan page on Facebook, which you can find at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Honolulu-HI/Waikiki-Natatorium-War-Memorial/11999212279?ref=ts

Follow Natatorium news on either page!

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Your go-to source for up-to-date facts about the Natatorium from people who do their research thoroughly.

http://www.historichawaii.org/Historic_Sites/Natatorium/Natatorium.html

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Mike – Memory of the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial

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Kiersten Faulkner, Dir, Historic Hawaii at the Natatorium
“This is about preserving a way of life”

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Natatorium n. Swimming Pool, originally uploaded by Waikiki Natatorium.

Related posts:

1. American Swimming Team at the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial near Kaimana Beach
2. Announcement for the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial Service on May 25, 2008 at Sans Souci (Kaimana) Beach
3. Royal Hawaiian Band Bugler sounds taps at the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial.

Royal Hawaiian Band Bugler sounds taps at the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial., originally uploaded by Waikiki Natatorium.

Related posts:

1. Announcement for the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial Service on May 25, 2008 at Sans Souci (Kaimana) Beach
2. American Swimming Team at the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial near Kaimana Beach
3. Aeriel Photo of Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial

Thank you so much to everyone who was able to attend, and those who could not be with us, we felt your presence in our hearts. With much aloha.

• KGMB news coverage
• Honolulu Advertiser from Saturday , and again
• Star Bulletin from HILife
• From Hawaii Moms

Related posts:

1. Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium Service Story on Star-Bulletin Front Page
2. Memorial Day Service on KHNL News and Video
3. John Henry Felix’s Memorial Day Service Address, May 24, 2009

Announcement for the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial Service on May 25, 2008 at Sans Souci (Kaimana) Beach, originally uploaded by Waikiki Natatorium.

Related posts:

1. American Swimming Team at the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial near Kaimana Beach
2. Alea and Leilani Alama Hula perform at the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial Day Ceremony at Sans Souci (Kaimana) Beach
3. Aeriel Photo of Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial