Hawaii War Memorial Crumbling Into Ocean

[Kire]

Hawaii War Memorial Crumbling Into Ocean
Sat Jan 8, 2:48 PM ET

By TARA GODVIN, Associated Press Writer

HONOLULU - The Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, meant to stand for the ages as a memorial to Hawaii's World War I veterans, has suffered decades of neglect, leaving it crumbling and almost forgotten. Now it's at the center of a debate that pits Honolulu's new cost-cutting mayor against historical preservationists.

Natatorium supporters want to save its rare oceanside swimming pool, while opponents want to replace it with a beach. It's not at all clear which would cost more.

The memorial, listed in 1995 as one of the nation's 11 Most Endangered Places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, includes stadium seating above the saltwater pool christened in 1927 with a dive by Hawaiian surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku.

Some of the past's most famous swimmers — including Olympian Johnny Weismuller and movie star Esther Williams (news - web sites) — swam at what was once a popular island swimming hole and competitive swimming stadium.

But the now-murky pool is steadily slipping into the sea.

More: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=20&u=/ap/20050108/ap_on_re_us/waikiki_memorial

[yorkiemommie1]

1. i remember the natatorium

never swam there but i always thought it was beautiful. my dad used to swim there.