Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Friday, April 26, 2024 79° Today's Paper


Do you favor a new plan to refurbish the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, using chevrons to circulate water?

  • A. Yes; has much potential (433 Votes)
  • C. No; turn pool into beach, move archway (418 Votes)
  • B. Dubious; but restore Natatorium somehow (219 Votes)

This is not a scientific poll — results reflect only the opinions of those voting.

16 responses to “Do you favor a new plan to refurbish the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, using chevrons to circulate water?”

  1. dkuranag says:

    It’s a memorial. Fix it. Happy Veterans Day.

  2. keonimay says:

    It seems that history & tradition, has gone down the toilet, in Hawaii.

    All memorial structures, in Hawaii, are not deemed worthy of upkeep.

    Rome has many memorial structures & statues, that have survived, a couple thousand years.

    Hawaii has many memorial structures & statues, that will not survive a hundred years.

    Tourism & mainland influence, over history & tradition, in Hawaii.

  3. Pocho says:

    Hmmm, I’d say demolish the site and turn into a white sand beach then name the beach for the veterans of our Military.

    • Pocho says:

      think it’s cheaper to upkeep a beach vs. a man-made structure which will corrode over the years because of the salt conditions. You gotta be wise in what you do, it’s like planting bushes or trees for eye appeal then having to employ someone to manicure it from time to time. Return the site to it’s natural surroundings and name the beach for military veterans. Erect a monument while your at it.

      • cojef says:

        A monument/statue is less expensive than any structure that has to be maintained and possibly staffed.

      • Waterman2 says:

        So it hasn’t cost any money to repeatedly restor the beach ? We just spent months bringing sand back in and anybody who has been paying attention over the years knows that much if not most of Waikiki sand is from Molokai.

    • ALLDUNN says:

      Which hotel corporation will scoop up the site through their tame politicians when the memorial is gone to put up a monument hotel?

  4. Taimalie12 says:

    Keep the arches and remove the pool. Right now it’s an eyesore all boarded up on the sides.

    • cavan8 says:

      Agree with Taimalie12. As I mentioned in an earlier article, my father fought in WWII, surfed Waikiki before and after the war and believed wholeheartedly that restoring the beach for everyone would be the best tribute of all. Keep the arches. remove the bacteria-loaded pool, and share the beach. I used to swim in that horrible pool during age group swim practice in the 60’s…awful and loaded with barracuda.

  5. livinginhawaii says:

    Fix the pool. Its a shame that mainland transplants even have a say in this.

  6. oiwi808 says:

    they have been talking for so long about this….enough talk. DO SOMETHING ALREADY!!!!

  7. Bdpapa says:

    I’d rather see the Tank fixed than have a money sucking Zoo!

  8. dex says:

    Just another tourist attraction that most local residents will ever use or even see all at taxpayer’s expense

  9. ghstar says:

    Building a pool in the ocean is redundant. Creates a black hole for maintenance costs. And what value does the pool add? Inside the reef there at Kaimana is pretty calm already.

    • cavan8 says:

      ghstar, excellent point. There is no need for a salt water pool. (Ask the residents of Black Pt. how much they have to pay to maintain that grandfathered pool,) The Natatorium would be far more costly and a poor option. Too much politics, already!

  10. jankenpo says:

    Place and improve the arches over the roadway entrance and name the park and beach for the veterans. Make sure no hotels are built there.

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