Millennium Moments
NOWADAYS, it's known simply as the natatorium. Not just a natatorium
But the familiar name belies the storied history of the Waikiki War Memorial and Natatorium, the structure and Olympic-size pool at the end of Waikiki, now closed but pending an $11 million city restoration.
The monument to honor Hawaii's World War I soldiers boasts unique features: a 100-meter open-air, seawater pool; 13 levels of concrete bleachers to seat some 2,500 people; and a beaux arts-style arch entryway.
When the natatorium opened in August 1927, it was the social event of the year -- highlighted by a first swim by Olympic gold medalist and famed Hawaii son, Duke Kahanamoku. For almost two decades, the natatorium remained a favorite venue for swim meets, as well as a local social and recreational hub.
The Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 turned the natatorium into a U.S. Army training facility for two years. Over the decades, spotty and costly maintenance led to the natatorium's deterioration -- a bacteria outbreak in 1963 closed the pool temporarily -- and the once-popular site was finally shut in 1978 for safety reasons.
Former teller pleads guilty to bank theft
A former bank teller pleaded guilty in federal court this week to embezzling about $5,880 from Bank of Hawaii.Terilee L. Ishikawa was indicted in March on two felony counts and six misdemeanor counts of embezzlement at the Keeaumoku branch in December 1997 and January 1998.
She will be sentenced Oct. 4 before U.S. District Judge David Ezra.
Golf phone lines down for work tomorrow
Golfers won't be able to make reservations and will have to check in in person at the city's courses tomorrow from 8 a.m. to noon.That's when Honolulu's telephone golf reservation system and all the courses' computer systems will be down for maintenance.
The system will be open during its prime reservation call-in period from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.
The automated system will also be upgraded to ensure Y2K compliance and increased capability.
One H-2 lane to close Friday to early Monday
One Honolulu-bound lane of the H-2 freeway will be closed on weekends for a construction project to replace bridge end-posts and railings.The state Department of Transportation project will be about 1.5 miles before the Wai-awa Interchange, where the H-1 and H-2 freeways meet.
The lane will be closed from 9 a.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday beginning this week.
See expanded coverage in today's Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
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Police, Fire
By Star-Bulletin staffCar theft victim's friend helps in suspect's arrest
A female juvenile burglary suspect who apparently returned to steal a car was arrested for auto theft, burglary and robbery after a friend of the victim spotted the stolen car, police said.A man reported a burglar broke into his Birch Street apartment and stole his keys and jewelry between 1 and 6 a.m. yesterday, police said. His car was also stolen.
Later that afternoon, a friend of the victim saw some girls in front of his Ahiahi Street house about to drive away with the stolen car.
The friend attempted to stop the girl with the keys, and a scuffle ensued before police arrived.
Three women and girl booked in shoplifting
Four teen-agers who allegedly used a baby stroller to shoplift items from Ala Moana Center were arrested Monday for shoplifting.Surveillance cameras caught three 18-year-old women and a 14-year-old girl taking items from Sears and stuffing them into the stroller at 7:42 p.m., police said.
The suspects were all booked for second-degree theft.
Honolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
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