As an 8-year-old, I attended a swim meet at the Waikiki Natatorium while visiting Honolulu from my home on Molokai. It was 1946. I was amazed and impressed that they could create a swimming pool from a beach like the San Souci swimming beach we had enjoyed earlier that day.

After living in Honolulu since 1951, I’m disheartened by the loss of Hawaii’s natural beauty to man-made structures such as sky rises, a rail system, and plans to restore the now dilapidated Natatorium with a perimeter deck plan, instead of going with the memorial beach plan.

At 80 years of age, I’ve lost confidence in our elected officials to make decisions that recognize the long-term effects of what they support. What do we truly want to leave our mo‘opuna? Not everyone can fly home to Molokai, as I do, when in need of a spiritual boost from an environment that still reflects old Hawaii.

Maile Goo

Niu Valley

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