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
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Archives for Friends of the Natatorium
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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New Natatorium Brochure: Print Your Copy and Share
We now have a beautiful, informative new brochure on the campaign to preserve, repair and reopen the historic War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. You can find the publication right here. You’ll soon start to see this brochure at Friends of the Natatorium events around town. But why not print out a few copies now? Share them with ohana and friends. You can help us get the word out. We’re working to bring the Natatorium back to life because it’s Hawaii’s official monument to more than 10,000 volunteers from the then-territory who responded to the call to serve in World War
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Mahalo, Natatorium Supporters. Your Comments: Awesome.
You are simply the greatest. We thank you for your latest outpouring of support for preserving, repairing and reopening the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. On Friday, the Friends of the Natatorium and the National Trust for Historic Preservation delivered comments from an amazing 1,161 people and organizations to the Honolulu Department of Design and Construction. These comments – and the as-yet uncounted number that so many of you mailed directly to the city – will help shape the environmental impact study now getting under way. As you know, the city proposes to demolish the Natatorium and replace it with an
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Elected officials, Environmental Impact Study, Friends of the Natatorium, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Statement, and Uncategorized.
EIS, environmental impact statement, environmental impact study, Friends of the Natatorium, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Waikiki Natatorium.
EIS, environmental impact statement, environmental impact study, Friends of the Natatorium, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Waikiki Natatorium.
Memorials: Important Reading. Natatorium: Important Deadline
From the op-ed page of today’s International New York Times comes this important meditation on “Why Our Monuments Matter.” We love the eloquent conclusion: “The great dislocation of our time indicates just how frail our monuments, our books, our thoughts and principles can be. Still, they exist — and they are our guide and our shield. But if our symbols are lost, we will be no better than ignorant armies riding pickup trucks through the endless dust, where canals, dried and gone, once made the desert bloom.” Have you submitted a comment yet on Honolulu’s plan to demolish the wonderful,
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The Natatorium Needs You. Submit an Official EIS Comment.
The clock is ticking! If we’re going to save the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, we need your help shape the draft of the environmental impact statement. Make sure your voice is heard before the Aug. 22 deadline for public comment. The Background Here’s the situation: Two days after the open public meeting on the Natatorium last week, the City and County of Honolulu published what’s called an “environmental impact statement preparation notice.” [Note: It’s a 141-page PDF.] Now, after a 30-day public comment period, the city’s planners will write a draft environmental impact statement. Another public comment period will follow,
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