Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 9, 1 September 1999 — Natatorium [ARTICLE]

Natatorium

Being a World War II veteran, I am for a suitable World War I memonal, but I am against the rebuilding of the Waikīkī Natatorium. The structure was doomed to failure. There are signs of improper concrete mixture in its construction that hastened deterioration. The Natatorium was not built to withstand the adverse effects of oeean water. I retired from the Merchant Marine after 43 years and I know what damage salt water ean do to a ship. There is a constant battle to keep a vessel in ship shape condition to pass stringent Coast Guard inspection. Back in the early 1930s, my Punehhowl pals and I would trek to Waikīkī to swim and surf. We were never comfortable swimming in the Natatorium, although we used the different platform levels of the diving tower. We loved to play "ehieken" but not to swim. The murky, polluted sea water, its tidal effect, the slime that covered the bottom and maiine growth of limu and barnacles adhering to the pool siding turnedusoff. My Mends Walter and Nathan Napoleon's deceased father, superintendent of the facility, had misgivings and so did we. Mayor Harris must take heed and not make this monumental blunder a second time. Paul Lemke Kapa'a

Editor's update: A few months ago, Mr. Lemke wrote to Ka Wai Ola about the sea wall controversy at Aliomanu Kaua 'i. According to his most recent letter, Circuit Court Judge Clifford Nakea has reversed the Planning Commission. "Ifhis decision stands, it will befar reaching, rendering the state-wide Planning Commission powerless," wrote Mr. Lemke. "Why have a Planning Commission with no teeth? Purely awaste oftime and money."