In a surprising change of direction, Honolulu is opting to preserve the historic landmark as a usable open-circulation saltwater swimming pool. That after the City and County of Honolulu released their environmental impact statement on the Natatorium late last year.
The much-loved Natatorium, located next to Sans Souci Beach, is Hawaii’s official state World War I memorial. It first opened in 1927 to honor Hawaii citizens in the war but was closed in 1963 due to massive repairs needed. When it opened, Duke Kahanamoku took the very first ceremonial swim. Others who have graced the pool include Johnny Weissmuller, Esther Williams, and Buster Crabbe.
The Natatorium was designed by architect Lewis Hobart and features a grand archway that leads to the pool. There is an abundance of interesting and historic ornamentation that includes statues, cornices, pediments, and friezes.
The Natatorium is one of the only saltwater natatoriums in the world, and the only one in the US. The city originally planned to demolish the venerated but decaying structure.
Sans Souci Beach and the Waikiki Natatorium are inseparable.
Sans Souci “Without Worry” Beach, also called Kaimana Beach, has been a Beat of Hawaii favorite for years. Fronting the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, it sits on the Diamond Head side of Waikiki, directly adjacent to the Waikiki Natatorium. Sans Souci is popular with both locals and visitors and offers great swimming.
Kaimana Beach needs the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial to stay “worry-free.” It has been widely reported that if the Natatorium was removed, Kaimana Beach would, by nature’s action, also be gone. It turns out that it is the Natatorium itself and its position in the ocean which created the beach, and studies say that without the structure, the beach would vanish.
The latest proposal for Waikiki Natatorium.
After years of discussion and numerous proposals, the latest proposal from the National Trust was put forth.
“The water quality was bad, so to provide a design that allows it to be clean and safe and open to the public is exactly what we’re looking for, and this is it.” — Mo Radke, Friends of the Natatorium.
The proposal calls for the Makai seawall being replaced with concrete walls and chevrons, together with new openings to allow more water flow. The national trust presented the proposal to the City of Honolulu. In turn, they hired a consultant who prepared the environmental impact study with options.
Honolulu Mayor Caldwell has had various preferences, including demolishing the pool and replacing it with a public beach. He indicated several years ago that the demolition plan would cost $18 million compared with nearly $70 million to rebuild it.
Another alternative previously proposed by an engineering company is to install a replacement device, or groin, to create a new “Memorial” beach replacing the Natatorium. It isn’t clear what complexity that project might involve, not the least of which would be substantial if not insurmountable regulatory and environmental issues.
We are happy to see the direction of the restoration of the Natatorium and to retain it as a public resource for every reason, from its social and historical importance to the preservation of Sans Souci beach.
Updated 6/10/20.
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My 85 year old mother learned to swim there and she reminds us every time we drive by. Please restore this historic prosperity there are so mamas people that have great memories of this place. We would be willing to donate time and money to help in any way we can We have access to nonprofits and other resources for possible help. Thank you for the opportunity to possibly make this place “alive” again
Sincerely
Sam
I visit this area of Oahu often and reminds me of home as it has the same name as where I reside in Australia. The Nanatorium has so much history and more importantly it is a war memorial that needs to be preserved for future generations to remember those who served.
My favorite place in the world – Sans Souci beach! Would love to see the natatorium rebuilt! It’s history!
This is excellent news, Kaimana Beach and the Natatorium is probably my favorite spot in Hawai’i. If I might make a suggestion, instead of restoring the Natatorium with regular (Portland cement) concrete, which can be weakened over time by contact with salt water, take a lesson from the Romans. They used volcanic ash to make their concrete. Many of the structures that they built are still around 2000 years later, including ones that are in contact with salt water. It shouldn’t be hard to find volcanic ash in Hawai’i (Diamond Head is condensed volcanic ash). Aloha.
Hi Alan.
Thank you.
Aloha.
I am so happy to see it is going to be upgraded and restored for use
Please don’t forget to install a box jelly strainer.
Let’s hope they keep it simple and don’t destroy a nice, peaceful corner of Waikiki. There have been many proposals for schemes like turning it into a professional volleyball venue, building a huge parking lot next to it, and so on. Those who frequent Kaimana Beach and the small section of Kapi’olani Park next to it love it the way it is. Please – no more commercialism; no more mass entertainment. Leave something calm and peaceful for the people who don’t want bread and circuses. There’s plenty of that already.
Just another great metaphor for the complete and utter dysfunction of Hawaii government at practically every level. $9,000,000,000 (BILLION) for a boondoggle of a rail line in Honolulu that will probably never be completed–and rarely used by anyone but the homeless–and the decay and neglect of existing city, state, and county buildings and infrastructure are different sides of the exact same coin. Practically no other state in the entire country receive such a massive annual windfall of tax revenue–from people who don’t even live IN the state–and yet, it’s never enough. State and local governments blow it all on social programs–then borrow billions more on top of it. The state of Hawaii is essentially bankrupt at this very moment–by any practical measure: Billions debt, huge budget deficits, collapsed revenue due to their incompetent and short-sighted handling of the coronavirus. And yet the voters keep electing the same clowns over and over and over again–expecting different results.
The Natatorium will never be restored or rebuilt by the city, county, or state–because the lack not only the MONEY, but the WILL and the ABILITY to do it. They aren’t “doers”, they’re “talkers”. Sadly, the era of doers has long past us by. It’s why men like Elon Musk are so admired today: Because it’s SO rare to see someone actually DO something–something BIG–something BOLD–something innovative. We’ve all just become accustomed to the ceaseless talking… about things that NEED to be done–that SHOULD be done–but that never actually WILL get done. Where we need great leaders, we just have great politicians and career bureaucrats instead.
So just get used to the decay… because it’s here to stay.
Mahalo for this great article! I grew up on Paoakalani Avenue, yards from the Natatorium in the 50’s and love this memorial dearly.
Thank you for the update
The Natatorium is near and dear to my heart.
Hi Robin.
Thanks. Us too.
Aloha.
So many good memories of San Souci beach and The Natatorium growing up in Hawaii. We had many family picnics and swim outings at the Natatorium and San Souci beach long before it was finally closed down. Most of my brothers and sister learned how to swim there. I hope some day they find financial backing to restore and bring it back to life for all to enjoy again like so many of us did. It would make The Duke very Proud……
I lived oin O‘ahu for 12 years, and Kaimana Beach was by far our favorite hang out with fridays pot lucks. In my time, the city spent $11mil to restore… just the façade. I think they got scammed, because no maintenance was done after the renovation, and the thing fell into disarray again. It would be good to find a viable permanent solution/retoration. Mahalo
I was born and raised in Hawaii spent many happy days as a child swimming here with my sister and friends . This is an iconic landmark for a lot of us not to mention it was a World War Two memorial. We are losing to much of our history and the things that make us who we are. Hawaii is a special magical place that people come to expecting to see the history and magic of the islands and a slower pace of living please don’t tear down our heritage and our memories.
Aloha, Mikell…wonderful words! I couldn’t agree more!
John A.
After living on Oahu for three years, I have wondered why this beautiful piece of architecture remains in such disrepair. Thank you for sharing this information with the public. I strongly believe that restoring this structure would be the best plan. Perhaps if the money is the biggest hurdle in agreeing to a renovation, the city should charge a small entrance fee or get the local hotels to pitch in for advertisement rights?
cant they see how australia does it? everyone knows about bondi baths or even the “local” but private black point pool. i would think theyre similar enough? i think something unique will bring more people than tearing it down and maybe making it a beach…
This truly is a historic structure that needs to be preserved and utilized. Celebrate those of the past by not destroying it. Stop talking about it and start working on it. Perhaps an additional tax on surrounding park entrance to fund it. Please do something soon. Thank you. Julie
It seems like $90 million is much too high for such a project. Possibly $90 million might do much more on some other needy project. I have seen very few use this particular beach or swim there.
Hi Rich.
It is among the most popular and well-used beaches in Honolulu.
Aloha.
I hope they find the most cost effective way to restore ithe as it should be considered a State and cultural Monument. It is important to maintain all of Hawaii’so history.
I hope that it will be preserved, both as a Memorial and to prevent the erosion of Kaimana Beach. It is one of my favorite places in Hawai’i.
We have a history of neglecting older places of interest to the point where the powers that be believe it’s easier to tear them down and put in something else, typically something disposable in a few years. Too often we just tear it down and replacement never happens. The Natatorium is a fascinating spot and I agree, it hould be restored.
I heartily agree with your recommendation. Thank you for asking us to weigh in on the decision. I hope others will support the restoration of the Natatorium as well.