Natatorium foe renews
call to halt project

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

City Councilwoman Donna Mercado Kim is renewing her call for Mayor Jeremy Harris to stop restoration work at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium following a court ruling clearing a path for an appeal of the work.

Circuit Judge Gary Chang yesterday granted a motion allowing the Kaimana Beach Coalition to appeal the judge's decision in favor of allowing restoration.

Chang last month denied a request for a preliminary injunction.

Kaimana Beach attorney Jim Bickerton said yesterday he will be filing a notice of appeal with the Hawaii Supreme Court by the end of the week seeking not only an appeal, but a halt to construction until legal proceedings are done.

Bickerton says the city still has not received all necessary permits to allow renovations to proceed.

City Corporation Counsel David Arakawa said there's no need for delay of the project, which began last month.

But Kim said the city should stop work on the 72-year-old facility immediately.

Either the legal process should be resolved, or the mayor should be forced to go to the Council to change the parameters of the shoreline management permit allowing the project to proceed, Kim said.