Draft EIS for Natatorium set to be complete by summer 2018, four alternatives proposed for the facility

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, December 11, 2017

Waikīkī – During a press conference today fronting the historic Waikīkī Natatorium War Memorial, Mayor Kirk Caldwell was joined by city officials to provide an update on the progress, process, and possibilities for addressing the aging facility.

Currently an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is on-going, with a completed draft scheduled by summer 2018.

The purpose of the EIS is to recommend projects to renew the memorial and re-establish full public access to this area of Kapi‘olani Park.

Following that draft, public hearings are anticipated for fall 2018 with the publication of the final EIS scheduled in spring 2019.

“We’ve been making steady progress with the EIS and the process is working,” said Mayor Caldwell. “Through this process, and the consultations it requires, we’ve developed four alternatives to address the long neglected memorial. An additional alternative has recently been added, which looks promising. We’re labeling it Alternative 2 and it consists of a flow through perimeter deck where the original, crumbling deck is now.” 

The four alternatives proposed for the site include:
Alternative 1 – Closed Pool System (click for rendering)

• Reconstructs and restores the Natatorium in general accordance with the 1998 plans, except for the ocean-fed pool design.
• Ocean-fed pool qualifies as a public swimming pool and would be subject to health provisions.
• Estimated cost $40 million to $60 million.

Alternative 2 – Perimeter Deck (click for rendering)

Click here for a rendering of the proposed submerged infrastructure. Click here for another rendering.  

• Retains the bleachers, arches, and reconstructs the pool deck in the same location but on new supports.
• Large lengths of the seawall below the deck level would be removed, allowing the free flow of water between the swim basin and ocean.
• Estimated cost $20 million to $30 million.

Alternative 3 – Beach (click for rendering)

• Creates a war memorial beach between constructed groins with the removal of all structures built seaward of the 1927 shoreline.
• Replica memorial arch would be aligned with the existing Roll of Honor plaque with construction of a new bathhouse, replacement offices for Ocean Safety, removal of the existing roadway and construction of a new parking lot.
• Estimated cost $20 million to $30 million.

Alternative 4 – Debris Removal

• All structures would remain in place with some debris removal and limited access to the public in the event of a collapse.
• Estimated cost $2 million to $4 million.

Construction of the Natatorium was completed in 1927 as a war memorial to honor veterans of World War I.

Following its heyday, the facility has fallen into disrepair over the past decades and has become a public health and safety issue for beachgoers and marine life.

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Big Q: Which do you favor for the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium?