Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds in the amount of $9,000,000 to complete the restoration of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Waikiki war memorial natatorium is a beaux arts landmark, built as a rare living memorial to Hawaii's World War I veterans. The natatorium features a one hundred-meter salt water pool that originally opened in time for the 1927 Amateur Athletic Union national men's championship swimming competition. The pool was also used for training by the Army during World War II, after which it once again became a popular recreational facility until deterioration forced its closure in 1980.

In 1987, the legislature appropriated $1,200,000 for the planning and design of the natatorium. The city and county of Honolulu took over the project in 1988, allocating $12,000,000 for design and construction. However, after a contract was awarded, the department of health stopped the project in the early 1990s due to new design requirements for the salt water pool.

In 1991, the senate introduced legislation to appropriate funds for the project, but it did not pass. The most recent capital improvement project measure requesting restoration funds was introduced in 1994 and became law.

Local elected officials, preservationists, and swimming enthusiasts remain committed to reopening the natatorium's pool and hope that this exhibit will increase site visitation and public awareness of the history of the natatorium and its role in competitive swimming in Hawaii.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to help fund and complete the restoration project at the Waikiki war memorial natatorium.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $9,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for fiscal years 2005-2006, for the related improvements and restoration of the Waikiki war memorial natatorium.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The appropriations made for capital improvement projects authorized in this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all appropriations that are unencumbered as of June 30, 2008, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.