If you were there on Sunday for the annual Memorial Day Weekend observance at the Natatorium, here’s a second look with lots of photos. If you couldn’t make it, here’s just a hint of what you missed: Ceremony Recap –Lead-off speaker Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Forces Pacific. He’s a topgun fighter pilot and combat veteran with more than 5,000 hours of flight time logged, including more than 4,000 in F-18s. His career, his demeanor and his message make you proud to be an American. —Betsy Merritt, deputy general counsel of the National Trust for
Read More
Plan on It: Memorial Day Observance at the Natatorium
Where will you be on Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend? You’ll be right here, living as a citizen of a free and independent country, with the right to vote and the right to spend the day as you please. Where should you be that day? You should be here. You should be remembering, honoring and thanking the men and women who have died in America’s wars to establish, protect and preserve those rights. Memorial Day at the Natatorium You are cordially invited to the 27th annual Memorial Day observance at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. It’s at 10 a.m. on
Read More
The Natatorium, Angkor Wat and the Tower of London?
The War Memorial Natatorium has stood physically on the shores of Waikiki since 1927. Now it also stands there virtually, captured — in three dimensions — by a stream of zeroes and ones. 3D Digital Model California-based nonprofit CyArk, working with our friends at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has just created a digital model of the Natatorium. They bounced laser light off the walls, bleachers and decks to get millions of highly accurate measurements. With high-tech computer modeling tools, those measurements are being converted into a 3D onscreen model that can be rotated, studied and manipulated. [How do
Read More
Do You Have Great Natatorium Photos Like This?
Time to check your ohana’s photo albums, scrap books, storage boxes and slide carousels. We need photos of you, your family and your friends at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. If you have home movies, even better. Why? The Friends of the Natatorium are working with the film and television pros at TalkStory Productions to produce a documentary. We want to tell the Natatorium’s story. From the global conflict it was built to commemorate to the Olympic champions who swam at the Tank and international swimming records set there. But more than a sports history piece, it’s a love
Read More
The Natatorium is Featured in Alaska Airlines Magazine
If you happen to be flying Alaska Airlines this month, dig into that seat pocket in front of you, pull out the February issue of Alaska Beyond magazine and flip to page 21. Yes: A very nice story on the Natatorium and our efforts — your efforts — to repair and reopen it. If you’re not flying, never fear: You can see the piece online. For a PDF of just the Natatorium story, go to this link posted by our friends at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. If you’d like to see the story in the context of the
Read More
National Veterans Organization Endorses Natatorium Preservation
We’re proud to announce that the 138,000-member National Association for Uniformed Services has endorsed our efforts to save, rehabilitate and reopen the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. NAUS is a nationwide veterans organization, founded in 1968 to advocate for veterans and to protect their benefits and those earned by those now in uniform. “The Right Thing to Do” In a letter to the Friends of the Natatorium, the association’s president and CEO, retired Marine lieutenant general Jack W. Klimp, called on government leaders in Honolulu and Hawaii “to look beyond the years of neglect and inactivity.” He urged them to adopt
Read More
Wow: What a Year for the Natatorium
A New Year’s Eve “Mahalo” for your outstanding support in 2014. This has been a year of important progress in the fight to save and reopen the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. An Amazing Year for the Natatorium In 2014, the National Trust for Historic Preservation declared the Natatorium one of America’s Treasures, and put its resources – and its terrific, experienced, knowledgeable and dedicated staff – behind our effort. In 2014, you turned out in large numbers for an open meeting on the city’s environmental impact study, demonstrating major public support for the preservation option. In 2014, you – more
Read More
Solemn Sunsets: Bagpipes at the Natatorium
A new tradition has begun. Bagpiper Kim Greeley patrolled the main gate of the Natatorium Friday at sunset, playing Coming Home and Amazing Grace before sounding Taps. She played in memory of more than 10,000 World War I veterans from Hawaii; it was in their honor that the Natatorium was conceived, built and opened in 1927 for the enjoyment of all Hawaii residents and visitors. The Friends of the Natatorium intend to repeat this remembrance ceremony most Friday evenings as the sun goes down. Kim and her pipes, or sometimes a bugler, will perform the somber, sorrowful and soulful traditional
Read More
See Natatorium Veterans Day Photos and TV Coverage
Mahalo to all who joined us on Veterans Day 2014! It was a moving and memorable observance. Veterans, serving military members and civilians joined together on the grounds outside the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium to pay tribute to those who have served our country. We thanked those veterans who were present. We remembered those who have fallen. We honored everyone who has worn the uniform of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. A Floral Tribute to the 10,000 This was the 18th consecutive year that the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616 has sponsored its Veterans Day
Read More
Join Veterans for Veterans Day at the Natatorium
No more excuses. If you’ve always meant to join the VFW on Veterans Day to honor their comrades at arms, this is the year. Why? Because Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616 annually holds its Veterans Day observance at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. Because that special place is Hawaii’s official World War I memorial. And because this year is the 100th anniversary of the start of that terrible global war. It’s as simple as that. As important as that. So please join the VFW at the Natatorium on Veterans Day — Tuesday, Nov. 11 — at 11 a.m.
Read More
