From the Big Island, Jim Reddekopp sends this retro-awesome Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium photo from his family archive. We only know two of the four guys in the picture, taken (we don’t know when) on the Ewa end of the Natatorium deck. On the left is Jim’s grandfather, Gene Froiseth, and on the right is Gene’s brother, legendary surfer Wally Froiseth, one of the developers of the Hot Curl board and a pioneer in the 1930s and 1940s of big wave surfing on the North Shore of Oahu. The Froiseth boys were part of the Natatorium’s glory days. Gene and
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Monthly Archives August 2013
The Natatorium Bugle Corps: Enlist Now!
The Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is many things: recreation facility, competition venue, gathering space, cultural icon. It is also, first and foremost, a memorial to those who served our nation, especially those from Hawai’i who served in World War I. It was built as a memorial to warriors, and opened as a memorial 86 years ago this month. The beautiful Beaux-Arts-style ocean pool still stands as a memorial, even though as a recreation facility it awaits preservation, restoration and reopening. A memorial is a living thing. Its meaning is expressed in the interactions between the place itself and the people
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Happy Birthday, Natatorium!
It was 86 years ago today! On Aug. 24, 1927, our Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium opened. There was a huge crowd of 6,000 in the stands and — according to reports from the time — spectators in every tree with a view of the pool. And the man who took the ceremonial first swim? There could not have been a more appropriate choice. He was the pride of Hawai’i and an Olympic swimming medalist (three golds, two silvers in the 1912, 1920 and 1924 games). And that was his 37th birthday. Yes, the first man in the water on the
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Natatorium Big Band Benefit on Video
Our Big Band Benefit for the Natatorium was a huge success: Great crowd, great music, great dancing, and a great time for all. The Harry James Orchestra, led by the superb Fred Radke, was in terrific form. We know that so many of our off-island friends and supporters really wanted to be there. Since you couldn’t come to the show, now we’re bringing the show to you! We sent a camera out onto the dance floor and right up to the bandstand. Here’s an excerpt from the hugely popular “Take the ‘A’ Train:” httpv://vimeo.com/72510151 Mahalo Thanks to everyone who made
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