What You Can Do
Sign an online petition to save the natatorium.
11 Most Endangered
Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium
Year Listed: 1995
Location: Honolulu , Hawaii
Current Status: Endangered
Threat: Demolition, Deterioration
Latest News
November 28, 2009: Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced that he has accepted the recommendation of the Waikiki Natatorium Task Force calling for partial demolition of the historic Natatorium. Watch the press conference here and read National Trust president Richard Moe's response featured in the Honolulu Advertiser.
Closed since 1979, the pool at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium may be demolished.
Credit: Jon Radke
Significance
Carved out of the Pacific Ocean in the shadow of the famed Diamond Head, the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium was built in 1927 as a "living memorial" to Hawai’i's World War I veterans. The Beaux Arts landmark features a 100-meter saltwater pool that was used for recreation and competitions, and hosted swimming stars such as Duke Kahanamoku, Buster Crabbe, Johnny Weissmuller, and Ann Curtis. The Natatorium was instrumental in training a generation of Hawai'ian swimmers who achieved prominence and recognition as Olympic gold medalists. Deterioration forced the pool's closure in 1980.
Updates
September 2009: The Waikiki Natatorium Task Force voted 9-3 to demolish the Waikiki Natatorium. The non-binding decision generated heated criticism from veterans groups and preservationists. The fate of the Natatorium will now be determined by the Mayor's office who had previously expressed support for its demolition, though a lengthy environmental review process would be expected. Watch the local news report here.
August 26, 2009: The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Western Office legal counsel wrote a letter to the Mayor of Honolulu's Waikiki Natatorium Task Force pointing out several legal and regulatory obstacles to demolition of the structure. The letter urges the Task Force to recommend that the City immediately stabilize the bleachers and pool to protect public safety and the marine environment.
February 2009: Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann announced in his State of the City address that the City is again "seriously considering" demolition of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Sign an online petition to save the natatorium.
In early 2009, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann announced in his State of the City address that the city is reviewing the engineering studies, and again "seriously considering" demolition of the historic pool or demolition of the pool and relocation of its historic Beaux Arts façade to another location. Although costs were cited as the reason for abandoning the restoration plan, the city has not released cost estimates or the study of alternatives. The mayor plans to convene a citizens' working group to discuss the issues. Local supporter such as Friends of the Natatorium and the Historic Hawai’i Foundation are advocating for preservation of the entire memorial, which includes the pool, and the restored façade in its original location.
On Memorial Day, 2000, Honolulu launched an $11 million project to renovate the 73-year-old landmark and fix cracks in its ocean-fed pool. By May of 2001, Phase I -- the restoration of the Natatorium's grand arch and façade -- had been completed. Renovation of the 100-meter pool, however, remained stalled because of safety worries, cost concerns, and the state Health Department's saltwater pool regulations. In 2005, the mayor of Honolulu stopped all restoration work on the natatorium and funds allocated for the restoration were released back into the city's general funds. In late 2006, the city began a new study of the natatorium site to analyze alternatives to full restoration, including complete demolition. Study findings were expected in 2008.
Share your memories of this endangered place
Submitted by Studebiker at: December 19, 2009
So what do we do? As soon as all the vets of a conflict die off we are now free to get rid of the memorials to their sacrifice because they are old and need maintenance? Maybe we should go ahead and schedule the removal of the Viet Nam and WWII memorials in future years after all the vets are gone. By then they will no doubt need care and maintenance.
Submitted by sombrereptile at: October 2, 2009
why are you publishing such a completely lame photo of this wonderful structure? the facade is what is in question, not this back pool area. Honolulu has so much and is seemingly unaware and shows no pride in its past...... unless it is a hundred years old. their cache of mid century is amazing but how they can even consider demolishing this fanciful, patriotic and photogenic monument takes the proverbial cake, crazy crazy crazy
Submitted by kalena at: May 12, 2009
Please don't destroy our landmarks and memories. Help restore.