Archives for Statement

Ironic, isn't it? The city moves to "protect public safety" at the Natatorium

The city of Honolulu is starting work on Monday to correct what it describes as “hazardous conditions” caused by cracks in the walls of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Now, of course, the Friends of the Natatorium support doing what is necessary to ensure the safety of swimmers on nearby Kaimana Beach. But isn’t it ironic? The city is acting now on an emergency basis to mitigate a safety problem it caused and could easily have prevented. The city neglected the Natatorium for decades. It allowed this historic icon and civic treasure to deteriorate. And – in 2005 – it
Read More

Categories: Friends of the Natatorium, History, News coverage, Statement, and Uncategorized.

Natatorium needs your help NOW

Monday’s inauguration of Gov. Neil Abercrombie means the key leaders are officially in place. We believe Gov. Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle want to preserve and restore the Natatorium. We need all Natatorium supporters to take time NOW to contact the mayor and governor and let them know we’re behind their efforts to do what’s pono. Please send a letter, e-mail, or make a quick phone call. The messages don’t need to be long. Just say something simple, brief and pointed. Contact the mayor You can contact Mayor Peter Carlisle at Office of the Mayor, Honolulu Hale, 530 S.
Read More

Categories: Statement and Uncategorized.

The fight for the Natatorium: On to the next round

Mayor Hannemann has now endorsed his own task force’s recommendation that the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium be razed. This is hardly news. It was no surprise in September that an advisory panel appointed by the mayor would provide the advice he wanted to hear. It is no surprise now that he has adopted a recommendation that tracked so closely with his own often-expressed preference. Hannemann’s so-called “partial preservation” plan would destroy the entire War Memorial — pool, bathrooms, bleachers, volleyball courts and parking lot — thereby wasting more than $4 million in completed, much-used improvements and restorative work. Hannemann’s plan
Read More

Categories: News coverage, Statement, and Uncategorized.

Task force dissenting opinion: Read it and act

Three more members of the Mayor’s Natatorium Task Force have joined the pro-Natatorium coalition, signing a dissenting opinion filed with the city today. The additions add important voices from the Native Hawaiian, veteran, and ocean sport and safety communities to the report’s call for stabilization and eventual restoration of the Natatorium. The added members (who could not attend the task force’s final meeting Sept. 24) are Hannie H. Anderson, co-founder and race director of Na Wahine O Ke Kai; Art A. Caleda, president of the World War II Filipino-American Veterans of Hawaii; and Brian L. Keaulana, ocean safety expert, surfer
Read More

Categories: Statement and Uncategorized.

The fight goes on!

By now you’ve heard that the mayor’s task force voted this week to support demolishing the Natatorium and replacing it with a beach. This vote did not surprise us; the lines in the sand were drawn early. We knew that the battle was uphill, given that this was the mayor’s own task force and that the mayor advocates demolition. The vote does nothing to change our position on preservation of the Natatorium. It does nothing to quell the vigor with which we are working to block attempts by the city to demolish the War Memorial. If and when Mayor Hannemann
Read More

Categories: Statement and Uncategorized.