Bullet Points for Natatorium Open Meeting

Bullet Points
For Statements at the Open Meeting on the War Memorial Natatorium
Hosted by WCP Inc.
Monday, July 21, 6:30 p.m-8:30 p.m.
Kaimuki High School cafeteria at 2705 Kaimuki Ave.

Members of the public will be given an opportunity to express an opinion on issues that should be considered as part of the environmental impact study on the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium site. It is not yet clear whether that opportunity will be provided at the open meeting itself. But, even if it is not, you will certainly be able to provide your views in writing to Mr. Derek Yasaka, President, WCP Inc., 99-061 Hoaha Way, Suite 208, Aiea, HI 96701.

We hope you will consider making this statement, or something like it, a central part of your oral or written testimony:

I welcome the EIS process, but the preferred alternative must be preservation, not demolition, of the War Memorial Natatorium. Preservation is the most responsible choice financially and environmentally. It is also the choice that honors our veterans, respects our history, and enhances our future. Let’s repair and reopen the Natatorium.

You may also wish to make some or all of the following points, and add your own:

— I believe that an objective, unbiased review by the city of the environmental consequences of demolition will prove that the costs of losing the Natatorium are far greater than what it will take to save it.

— I urge you to ensure that this EIS process complies in full with the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act. [HEPA requires that this EIS include a “vigorous exploration and objective evaluation of the environmental impacts of alternatives to demolition.” Further, it says, “measures to avoid, minimize, rectify or reduce adverse impacts to historic properties must be considered.”]

— I believe that the environmental consequences of demolishing a historic icon must be thoroughly explored in the EIS and fully factored into the city’s eventual decision. These consequences include impacts to tourism, impacts on water quality at nearby beaches, and the financial and environmental cost of dredging sand to construct and maintain an artificial beach.

— I endorse the points made to WCP during the stakeholder phase by the Friends of the Natatorium, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Historic Hawai’i Foundation.

Please send a copy of your statement to natatorium@natatorium.org. Mahalo and aloha!