Future of Ruined Honolulu Natatorium Remains Murky

Buster Crabbe and Johnny Weissmuller trained for the Olympics in the tide-fed saltwater pool. So did world-renowned Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku. Generations of children learned to swim there.

The Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium was intended as a “living memorial” to the 102 servicemen from Hawaii killed in World War I. It’s on both federal and state historic preservation registers. But after decades of neglect, it has become an embarrassment.

“An apology is owed to every veteran on this island that this war memorial has been allowed to deteriorate and be this monument to decay and neglect,” complained Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris, whose $11.5-million plan to restore the structure was stalled by a court order. “To stop the restoration of the nation’s first living war memorial, I think, will go down in history as a disgrace to our city.”

The 72-year-old facility in the shadow of Diamond Head is a crumbling ruin, surrounded by chain-link fences that keep visitors away. One of four stone eagles perched atop the 20-foot archway leading to the pool and the ocean-facing bleachers is headless.

Pool decks have collapsed in several places, and numerous concrete chunks have broken away from the surrounding walls and bleacher seats, exposing rusted bars. The showers, lockers, restrooms and offices beneath have long been sealed. The entire facility was declared unsafe 20 years ago.

The problem is that no one is quite sure what to do with it.

The mayor’s renovation plan called for tourist-related water shows at the natatorium as a means of covering up to $300,000 in estimated annual maintenance costs.

But the move has been opposed by some users of nearby San Souci Beach, who fear a revitalized pool would create more competition for parking. They’d like to see the bleachers and pool demolished and the area made into a 400-foot stretch of beach.

Citing water quality and health concerns, the group sued to block the mayor’s proposal, and the plan was put on hold pending a trial over which standards should apply to the natatorium’s saltwater pool.

Honolulu officials contend circulating salt water would prevent harmful buildup of bacteria in the natatorium. State Health Director Bruce Anderson disagrees.

It’s the type of disagreement that frustrates the mayor.

“When we want to fix the pool--no, you can’t do that,” Harris said. “When we want to tear it down--no, you can’t do that. When we just want to fix the restrooms--no, you can’t do that because you’re not doing the pool, but you can’t do the pool. . . . Nothing can be done without someone trying to stop us.”