Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial

Veterans Leader Michael Soucie Elected to FON Board

admin — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:58:15 +0000

Veteran, VA manager and longtime veteran advocate Michael C. Soucie Sr. has been elected to the board of directors of the Friends of the Natatorium. Michael, who retired as a chief petty officer after 22 years in the Navy, returned to civilian life as a case manager and clinical supervisor in Kalaeloa for the United [...]

Time Travel: The Natatorium 59 Years Ago

admin — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:09:08 +0000

This’ll take you back! A look at photos taken across territorial Honolulu and Oahu in 1954, five years before statehood. Ala Wai Canal. Ala Moana Park. Waikiki. Chinatown. Schofield Barracks. Kaneohe Bay. Kamehameha Highway. Wow; how things have changed in less than six decades! And pay particular attention to the three photos onscreen from 35 [...]

The Natatorium Problem: A Concrete Solution?

admin — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 22:13:46 +0000

Natatorium naysayers argue – among other absurdities – that an ocean pool can’t survive being in, well, the ocean. We demonstrated with a post on the ocean pools of Australia just how wrong that kind of thinking is. Turns out, though, that we could have gone a couple of continents farther on and about 20 [...]

The 25th Natatorium Memorial Day Service | Sunday, May 26

admin — Sat, 18 May 2013 18:57:39 +0000

Inspiring oratory. Celebration in song and dance. Precision military pageantry. The solemn sounding of “Taps.” Most of all: A chance to remember, honor and give thanks. You’ll want to join us for the 25th annual Memorial Day weekend observance at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. It’s at 10 a.m. on Sunday, May 26 – the [...]

Natatorium Op-ed by Peter Apo: Demolition Moratorium

admin — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:13:30 +0000

Don’t miss the opinion piece in the May 14 Star-Advertiser by Peter Apo. It’s important not just for the substance: Peter’s call for a two-year moratorium on threats to demolish the Natatorium, providing time and a safe space for a campaign to fund restoration. It’s also important for the eloquence and passion with which Peter [...]

Natatorium Defaced

admin — Mon, 06 May 2013 23:04:56 +0000

It’s started. Less than a week after the city and state announced plans to raze the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, someone is treating it as an abandoned ruin. This morning, Kelsey Ige spotted graffiti on the Natatorium’s mauka wall: Kelsey, art director at the Waikiki Aquarium next door to the Natatorium, took the photo and [...]

The Natatorium Decision: Shame and Dishonor

admin — Sun, 05 May 2013 16:42:44 +0000

The city and state announcement last week that they want to raze the Natatorium was a kick in the gut to supporters of the War Memorial. One of them is Mo Radke, 30-year Navy veteran, former command master chief of the Pacific Fleet and now a board member of Friends of the Natatorium. The roots [...]

Today’s Natatorium News: Speak Your Mind Now!

admin — Wed, 01 May 2013 00:35:23 +0000

This is terribly disappointing. But this is not over. The mayor and governor announced today that they are restarting the city’s environmental impact study. But there have already been multiple studies. They show that you can’t demolish the pool and build a new beach without breaking the law. And not just one law: lots of [...]

A Natatorium sleepover story

admin — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 23:50:59 +0000

Our post the other day about a 1942 lifeguard picture brought to light a delightful related story. We mentioned that one of the people in the photo was Nana Veary, matron of the Natatorium and secretary to its superintendent, Walter Napoloeon. We also mentioned that Mrs. Veary, who became a well-known Hawaiian spiritual teacher and [...]