This is terribly disappointing. But this is not over.
The mayor and governor announced today that they are restarting the city’s environmental impact study. But there have already been multiple studies. They show that you can’t demolish the pool and build a new beach without breaking the law. And not just one law: lots of them, state and federal.
Write or call the governor and mayor now!
If this study is done correctly, it will reach the same conclusion. If it isn’t done correctly, well, the natatorium will have its day in court.
The shame is that we’re wasting yet more time. We shouldn’t be fighting in court. We should be working together — city, state and private sector — to restore this magnificent, historical treasure and reopen it.
Help Save Your Natatorium!
Have you been waiting for the right time to speak your mind? This is it!
Tell Mayor Kirk Caldwell and Gov. Neil Abercrombie how you feel. Tell them that this is not negotiable: The Natatorium represents our debt to our veterans. It represents our history. It represents our culture. It must be renewed and reopened.
robin coblentz
Coming from a city,San Antonio Texas,that has both strong history involving both the military and preservation,it would be a shame for Hawaii to not restore the beautiful and useful memorial. Considering on much Hawaii reveres its history and traditions,Shame on you
Scott Murray
Aloha, the Natatorium MUST be restored and saved. this plan to tear it down and build a beach is not acceptable. 18 million will turn into 30 million. let’s hope that the government listens to the people this time.
admin
You are right to be suspicious of the feasibility and price they are putting out for the artificial beach. Without construction of a retention system that mimics the existing structure, San Souci Beach will wash away. Imagine what 10 years of getting past federal regulations and legal challenges will add to the pro-demolition option. And then there’s the moral price tag of tearing down a memorial to Hawaii’s 10,000 WWI veterans. Auwe!
ane aga
Please save the Natatorium. It has a lot of connection to History, and it has a story to be told to the future generation. What is there to tell to the generation of tomorrow? IT will cost money but it’s money worth spent. You will both not be there in the next 100 years but this will stand as witness of the beginning. May wisdom speaks louder to you Mr. Governor and Mr. Mayor. I voted for you Mr. Mayor because I believe in what is in your heart for the people and for the best of the Island.
admin
thank you! Please contact the Governor and Mayor and tell them what you think!
Thomas Hankins
Keep as much of it as you can. It was constructed for a reason that seems to be forgotten! This was constructed in memory and honor of our vet’s that served during WWI. Its an insult to all servicemen and women that died for our country. This needs to be kept. For reason reason it was constructed.
Judith Strauch Diess
This place has history in Hawaii. Pools are needed! Please restore the Natatorium. Hawaii already has enough beaches. A saltwater pool? Restore history. Respect the servicemen and woman who served out country from Hawaii. This is their memorial.
Frank Luke
I so concur with the plan I saw on TV news that the beuatiful Arch will be preserved and moved but the pool will go and the beach become beach. Esimated $7 mill to restore the pool not counting maintenance compared to $6 mill for no pool and added beach. What would hopefully be part of the Arch being saved would be to have a meditation garden there. Let’s be sensible. The vets would sign on to sense, I’d bet.
admin
Frank, thanks for posting your comment. The pricing (for both options) is pretty much marketing hyperbole. We’ll be releasing some fact-based info (from engineers and contractors) very soon so you can come to your own conclusions on who’s telling the truth about things. Keep an eye on this site for more. Aloha!
Daci Armstrong
I am for preserving that beautiful memorial arch and construction of a meditation garden. More beach space needs to be added to Waikiki and the pressure for that is growing. It’s really too bad that the people who want to preserve the Natatorium weren’t making efforts to preserve and protect it from the beginning. It is mostly a rusty, crumbling eyesore but what it would cost to rebuild it today is prohibitive.
Lana Port
Since I was a child my kupuna would tell me about how amazing this place was. One specific story is how Duke Kahanamoku, our States Ambassador of Aloha, qualified for the Summer Olympics and some say even broke the world record here. This inspired me to continue that legacy and pursue competitive swimming and waterpolo throughout my high school career at Kamehemaha Schools, Kapalama Campus. I am now currently serving in the US Coast Guard, following the footsteps of those same Kupuna who were also War veterans. (ARMY & NAVY), I beg our state government to take the time to do what is PONO, this is not just a deteriorated public swimming pool, but a memorial to honor our veterans and history.
Lana
admin
Lana, thanks so much for sharing your story and observations. And also thank you for your service to the nation in the USCG. Malama pono!
jon
What’s the mayor’s agenda and motivation? Someone shed some light on this.
admin
Jon, unfortunately there is a lot of misinformation out there. For example, the cost estimates for restoration and demolition which are wildly inaccurate and myths about the new pool design and engineering. Then there are the logistical, legal and environmental consequences that it seems people would like to turn a blind eye to, including replacement of the parking, lifeguard offices, bathrooms, and volleyball court — all of which would be lost to demolition. No one wants to talk about the environmental and public safety hazards of destabilizing the shoreline, moving the lifeguard operations office out of Waikiki and proximity of 10+ million beachgoers/year. And the idea of putting parking lots and new buildings on ocean front lawns is kept as quiet as possible. So we’d like to think the Mayor is listening too much to people with personal agendas and not enough to those with facts and studies and legal precedent to back up their positions. Hopefully, he will come around to a more objective view of reality.