Waikiki Natatorium even now looks grand

I remember swimming and playing in the pool of the Waikiki Natatorium. The thrilling ride down the long slide; working my way up jumping off the platforms with pride each time I conquered one and advanced to the next higher level. Those were the days of my youth.

I didn’t need to be able to afford a board, boat or a hotel-room stay. Just my swim shorts. The Olympic-sized pool could hold more than 100 keiki.

Restoring the salt-water pool there would make it a special place again for our keiki and for our Waikiki. An interactive memorial would give Waikiki more of a personality than a passive one, and where we could again hold swim meets.

Have you ever looked down on the Natatorium while flying in or out of the airport? From that distance it still looks grand. Make it whole again!

Jack Robinson
Kailua

Cost to fix Natatorium seems overestimated

There seems to be no sensitivity to the architectural merit of one of the only Beaux Arts buildings in Hawaii, a visual testament to the time when the men being honored lost their lives — the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial.

It has justifiably been put on a priority list of endangered places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Natatorium is an architectural unit that needs to be fully preserved, not butchered.

Speaking with two National Trust representatives at a recent Natatorium visit, both questioned the $60 million-plus restoration price tag and the structural need to demolish the bleachers, an integral part of the memorial.

The bleacher steps are wide and in good shape, perfect for sunbathing, with the water right below.

If the pool is too far gone to restore, access to the ocean could be integrated into a restoration plan that preserves a building of merit, providing a sense of place consistent with the memorial’s commemorative purpose.

Allan Seiden
Wilhelmina Rise

PUC chairwoman should be dismissed

The Star-Advertiser worked itself into a tizzy over the alleged misdeeds of state Sen. Malama Solomon and state Rep. Romy Cachola, but seemingly can’t be bothered about Hermina Morita’s gross violations of Department of Land and Natural Resources land useregulations for which she has been fined $31,000.

Solomonand Cachola are elected representatives, which means they may be subjected to penalties but probably not removed from office unless by the voters.

However, Morita is chairwoman of the Public Utilities Commission, an appointed position — and a very powerful one — from which she can and should be dismissed by the governor for her blatantly unacceptable acts.

Carl H. Zimmerman
Salt Lake

UH doesn’t need Division I sports

The University of Hawaii-Manoa athletics budget could use some accounting help. I love UH sports, but in my house, when you can’t afford it and don’t need it, then you do without it.

UH cannot compete with teams likes those from Texas and Alabama and we shouldn’t try.Why on earth should a coach make more than a professor or the dean?

In Europe, people go to university to learn, study and conduct research.Sports are played by clubs, after which a gifted athlete may eventually go pro.

If we believe that sports are beneficial to the goals of the student body, then that’s great — we can have intramural sports. Nobody ever said the purpose of our university is to have sports teams of which we can be proud.

Joseph T. Bussen
Kailua

Educating our keiki is most critical issue

Next to the safety of the public at large, the big picture screams that educating Hawaii’s keiki is the most important issue.

That said, we have the University of Hawaii’s $487 million repair backlog that dwarfs the athletic budget’s meager deficit; the state Department of Education’s $380 million repair backlog; and perhaps another $100 million to air condition the schools.

Why don’t we fund this through a one-quarter percentage point general excise tax increase that would perpetually fund public college and school repairs, from pre-kindergarten all the way through the UH system?

If we can approve $5.26 billion for the train to nowhere, and $1.3 billion for the H-3 freeway, then to me it is a no-brainer to perpetually fund the proper upkeep of educational facilities statewide.

Von Kenric Kaneshiro
Downtown Honolulu

FROM THE FORUM

Readers of the Star-Advertiser’s online edition can respond to stories posted there. The following are some of those. Instead of names, pseudonyms are generally used online. They have been removed.

“HCDA pushed governor for veto,” Star-Advertiser, May 26:

>> HCDA is broken. It’s not Hawaii Community Development Authority. It’s Hawaii Development Authority.

>> The existing board should be terminated now. They are useless rubber-stamps.

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“Industries from isles will charm Capitol Hill,” Star-Advertiser, May 26:

>> Great idea. I wonder, since it’s involved, if the Chamber of Commerce will bring up the added expense of doing business here due to the Jones Act? Might be a good time to put a spark into its repeal.

>> If a business cannot give gifts to a congressman, like money, a golf game, or dinner, can you give chocolates?

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“Cost and value of road trigger probe,” Star-Advertiser, May 27:

>> Our government wastes billions and trillions of dollars on expenditures we never have a say on. But we do have a say on these few millions. Let’s decide to go get our boys. It is the right thing to do.

>> It sure would be nice to have them home again, but, good grief, that’s a lot of money for what could possibly be very few remains.

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“Norovirus outbreak strikes Waikiki hotel,” Star-Advertiser, May 27:

>> This could be related to the fact that there are few public restrooms in Waikiki. Many people are just using the sidewalk or vegetation to relieve themselves, and there’s no way to wash their hands afterwards. Come on politicians — wake up and do something.

>> Waikiki and Honolulu are turning into an open cesspool. Worse than many Third World countries. Disgusting.

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“UH sports sacked for $2M loss,”  Star-Advertiser, May 28:

>> Most university athletic programs run deficits. But I do know the unique situation that the University of Hawaii is in regarding its athletic programs. Maybe, it could plead to the NCAA that because it has to pay visitor schools’ travel, it should be waived of some of the minimum sport requirements, and go club level for some sports, like women’s soccer, tennis, golf, track, etc.

>> Just divide the $2 million deficit by the total enrollment at UH of 20,000 students, which equals $100 per student. Add this $100 to the student fees, and this is what they pay to support UH sports programs.

>> A lot of students are going to UH to get an education. They need books and food and lodging and shouldn’t be forced to pay even more to pay for entertainment that they neither enjoy nor have time for.

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“Partial suit against churches can proceed, judge decides,” Star-Advertiser, May 28:

>> The churches paid in full what was promised. The problem is these two (plaintiffs) feel the churches were not charged enough. Big difference.

>> I’d rather they be watchdogs and root out underpayments than turn a blind eye and watch the state go broke.

>> Churches are giving back well beyond the rents. Their donations of equipment and volunteer services, after school programs are not even accounted for.

>> If they cheated the state by deliberately under-reporting their hours, other things they allegedly did to improve equipment at the schools is not relevant, just a rationalization for wrong doing. The court will decide this one.

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“Handi-Van driver saves passengers from vehicle fire,” Star-Advertiser, May 29:

>> Several things helped to make this a feel-good story and not a tragedy. One was that Georgette Chun didn’t panic and got everyone out safely. Two, there were only two passengers at the time. And three, the electrical system was still operational.

>> My late sister used the Handi-Van for years, and those drivers are heroes every day. Just great people, and great customer service over the phone. Too bad our love of deferred maintenance in Hawaii led to a situation like this, and I’m glad that Handi-Van is finally getting some newer equipment.

>> I don’t think for one minute that they have deferred maintenance on any of the Handi-Vans. They’re run to death, and, as the article says, they have a great mechanical staff. It’s replacing them that is the issue.

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“Bill would ban foam takeout boxes,” Star-Advertiser, May 29:

>> This move is long overdue.

>> I suppose prices will go up at some places. Guess next is the foam cups.

>> Buy and carry your own containers. Keep them right in there with your bags.