Major support submitted to city for rehabilitation of Natatorium

More than 1,000 people and organizations have submitted comments to the city in support of preserving the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium.

The 1,161 comments were submitted Friday to the Department of Design and Construction for an environ- mental study on the proposed demolition of the structure. An environmental impact statement is expected to be completed in the spring of 2016.

Organizations who submitted comments strongly urged government officials to rehabilitate the Natatorium.

"This effort is about the people of Hawaii who fought World War I, the people of Hawaii who built this memorial to honor the warriors, and the people of Hawaii who can bring the Natatorium back to life today," said Maurice "Mo" Radke, president of the Friends of the Natatorium, in a news release.

Last year, Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced a plan to preserve only the structure’s arched entrance, remove the swimming pool and build a new "memorial beach."

The Friends of the Natatorium has expressed deep concern with the city’s proposal to raze the natatorium. In a joint letter with the National Trust for Historic Preservation to the city, the organizations have said demolition would result in "the irreversible destruction of one of the nation’s most exceptional war memorials … a living tribute to the service of more than 10,000 Hawaii citizens during World War I."

The trust recently added the natatorium to its list of America’s National Treasures.