The Plans to Restore the Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium on Oʻahu
The city is working to reopen and restore the natatorium to its original glory.
In 1927 a stunning Olympic-size saltwater pool opened on a stretch of Waikīkī Beach, dedicated to the 10,000 soldiers, sailors and other volunteers from Hawai‘i who served in World War I. It featured a grand beaux arts archway leading to an ocean-water swim basin, with bleachers, bathhouses and a panoramic ocean view.
Fittingly, on opening day, Olympic gold medalist and surfing ambassador Duke Kahanamoku dove into the pool to take the first ceremonial swim. Since then celebrity swimmers like Esther Williams and Buster Crabbe have swum in the saltwater pool, and the Hawai‘i Department of Education used it for its learn-to-swim program in public elementary schools.
A diver at the natatorium.
Photo: Courtesy Hawaiʻi State Archives, Photograph Collection, pnm-289-19936
The Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium is one of only a handful of ocean-water natatoriums left in the world, and the only one of its kind in the U.S.
Over the years this treasured site fell into disrepair and it was eventually closed in 1979. No one seemed to agree what should happen with the natatorium, which in 1995, earned a spot on the National Trust’s list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. Some wanted it restored; others wanted it torn down.
A century later the city is finally moving forward with plans to restore and reopen the natatorium.
“We want the natatorium to be functional again,” says Andy Sugg, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s chief of staff. “There are absolutely no plans to tear it down.”
The Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium is one of only a handful of ocean-water natatoriums left in the world, and the only one of its kind in the U.S.
Photo: David Croxford
City designers are still working on the final design, which will also take into consideration potential sea level rise. The total cost of the project will be at least $30 million, to be raised by the nonprofit Friends of the Natatorium. The goal is to return the natatorium to its original glory—and its original purpose: honoring World War I veterans.
“If you come and look at [the natatorium] now, it’s a shot to the heart to see how a memory of service would be treated,” says Mo Radke, president of the Friends of the Natatorium who served in the U.S. Navy for 30 years. “Let’s create a place where we can remember those who served and lost and do it in a way that represents the living.”
His vision is to see the natatorium become the gathering place it once was, with families swimming in the saltwater pool, picnicking on the bleachers and watching the sunset.
“There’s nothing like this in the world,” Radke says.
To learn more visit natatorium.org.
This story was originally published in our FALL 2024 issue, which you can buy here. Better yet, subscribe and get HAWAIʻI Magazine delivered to right to your mailbox.
