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Natatorium
makes a splash
Although the renovated facade
Sun worshippers share views
will be rededicated Sunday,
questions linger about the
future of the war memorial
A look at the renovations By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-BulletinBBOth Memorial Day and the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium have special meaning for sisters Katherine "Kay" Napoleon, 91, and Maleka Brown, 87. For about a decade, their family has organized public ceremonies at the natatorium, commemorating those who fought in World War I.
Sunday's ceremonies, being held jointly with the city, will be particularly special as the renovated facade of the 73-year-old facility is rededicated.
"This was given as a memorial to World War I veterans and then they let it go to pot," said Brown, whose uncle, Sam Kainoa, died in the war.
The natatorium was shut down in 1979, falling into major disrepair.
"I thank (Mayor) Jeremy Harris for giving me back my self-respect," Brown said, citing the biggest backer of the controversial restoration project.But as happy as the sisters are about the $4.4 million spent so far to repair the structure, they are not satisfied. And, they won't be, until the pool is restored and the gates to the natatorium are once again opened to the public.
"The pool is the natatorium," said Napoleon, whose husband, Walter, was superintendent of the facility for 17 years. "This is only the decoration," she said, pointing to the freshly painted facade.
Sunday will mark only the end of the latest chapter in the natatorium saga.
For as much as the sisters, the Friends of the Natatorium and other supporters want the entire facility restored, prospects of that happening are unclear at best.
A lawsuit brought by the Kaimana Beach Coalition last year resulted in a judge ordering the city to obtain a permit from the state Health Department to operate a saltwater pool, thus halting any work that was to be done on the pool.Health Director Bruce Anderson said this week that a task force of experts set up by his agency is still working on a draft of rules pertaining to a saltwater pool permit. The major problem of measuring staphylococcus has yet to be resolved.
The "staph" bacteria are passed from body to body in water and cause infections, including boils.
Anderson estimated it will take at least six more months to get through the rule-making process.
Meanwhile, opposition to pool restoration remains vocal.
"The Kaimana Beach Coalition continues to oppose the pool and hopes a more cost-effective solution can be worked out that does not compromise the environment, marine-life conservation district, keiki swim area and Kaimana Beach," said attorney Doug Codiga.
The coalition and other opponents have characterized the pool as a symbol of government waste in a time of shrinking tax revenues.A Star-Bulletin poll in February 1999 showed Oahu voters agreed by a 2-to-1 margin.
With the delays caused by the lawsuit, it's likely that the original $11.5 million set aside for the entire project won't be enough to finish the pool.
Even supporters like Councilman Duke Bainum are hesitant to commit to additional funding.
More funding "will have to wait for the future and future budgets," he said. "It would mean a lot more community discussion and consensus building."
City Managing Director Ben Lee said it's impossible to speculate on the future of the pool.
Going ahead with a partial restoration was important not just because of the need to redo the memorial facade, but to give park users access to restroom and shower facilities, Lee said.
As for the pool, the city will await the Health Department's rules, then "decide one way or another to proceed with the pool or not."
Here's what sunbathers at Kaimana Beach this week had to say about the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium restoration so far. Sun worshippers
share views, offer
ideas on natatorium"It was pretty nice originally. I like the nostalgic part of it ... Parking might be an issue. It's not worth restoring the pool." -- Vicki Bogard, Makiki
"I think it's a nice addition (to restore the pool) to this area. I hope they'd (have) small concerts. The only thing is that there'd be no parking. That's my main concern, more parking." -- James Fabrigas, Aiea, 37
"It looks a lot better than it did ... It's gonna be a good thing ... I think it was an eyesore as it was, but tearing it down wouldn't have been better. But it should've been done a little at a time, instead of (spending) $10 million all at once. -- Sandra Ford, Pearl City
"I think it's too bad when they let anything old go to pot." -- Barbara Whitney, 37, Seattle
"So far it looks like they're doing a good job. I'm impressed by the ornamentation and the grandstand ... It would be nice to have it restored. It would probably be a popular attraction. I say the more attractions in Waikiki, the better. -- Frank Pitcavage, 41, Kailua
"I think they should just leave the pool (alone). I don't want it to turn into a tourist attraction ... I think it's good to keep the memorial part. (The rest) will just (encourage) a lot more business. It's already crowded down here on weekends. No parking." -- Brian Blaire, 29, Makiki
"I'm still wondering what they're doing with the pool ... I have a feeling they're going to try and sneak in a complete restoration of the pool, even though the community is against it ... I heard they're going to put in commercial ventures and I'm against that. I'm in favor of taking out the pool and extending the beach. -- Peter Colarusso, 49, University area
"It's really good they fixed the memorial part. I think it's good for tourism, but I go to this beach, so I'm undecided. What I'm afraid of is a lot of traffic." -- Bernadette Gawron, 37, Waikiki
"Why a saltwater pool when we have a huge ocean? It's not going to work (with maintenance) ... I'm against the pool. I'm for the arch (and bathroom/shower facilities are needed). Also, put in a little museum on World War I ... Show me what it was like. Make it more educational ... Make it a quiet place, a respectful place." -- Mason Fritz, 35, Kaimuki, who runs kayak business nearby
By Wilma Jandoc, Star-Bulletin
