HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	320
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

strongly urging the congressional delegation of the state of Hawaii to identify and acquire funding for the restoration of the waikiki war memorial natatorium.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has no more historically significant architectural icon than the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, a memorial that honors the sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate price in World War I; and

     WHEREAS, the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is what Hawaiians can "wahipana", a sacred place of legendary beauty where the spirit is uplifted; and

     WHEREAS, the artfully constructed interface between natural and built environment has been hailed as a work of genius, harmoniously joining land and sea in a magnificent, yet sensitive statement, making the Natatorium worth preserving based on artistic merit alone; and

     WHEREAS, the facade features a Beaux-Arts style ornamental arched entryway measuring over twenty feet tall, designed by famed architect Louis P. Hobart, easily being one of Hawaii's most recognizable examples of creative architectural excellence; and

WHEREAS, although the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium has deteriorated since its initial construction, in 2001, over four million dollars of repairs were completed on the site including a façade restoration and the renovation of the bleachers and public restrooms; and

     WHEREAS, the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is listed on both the National and Hawaii Registers of Historic Places; and

     WHEREAS, allowing the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium to fall into disrepair because of inaction and procrastination would be irresponsible and would be disrespectful to all who paid the ultimate price for our nation in World War I, and would render an entire stretch of beach unsafe and incur large clean-up costs; and

     WHEREAS, other options, such as moving the facade and filling the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium for athletic purposes, are not feasible due to the catastrophic damage that would result from the movement and destabilization to the bleachers, restrooms, and facade due to the increased load and drag due to the fill, respectively; and

     WHEREAS, tourism is the main economic driver of Hawaii's economy, providing numerous jobs and incomes to our residents; and

WHEREAS, the National Trust for Historic Preservation has proven that cultural heritage tourists are more affluent overall, stay longer and spend more while contributing to global understanding through cultural exchange and commerce; and

WHEREAS, cultural and heritage visitors spend, on average, $623 per trip compared to $457 for all U.S. travelers, excluding the cost of transportation; and

     WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of this State to preserve Hawai`i's uniqueness, sense of place, and cultural identity for the benefit of all its residents as well as its visitors; and

     WHEREAS, restoration of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is already fully permitted, but will require more funding to move forward on the restoration; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the Senate concurring, that the Congressional Delegation of the State of Hawaii is strongly urged to identify and acquire funding for the restoration of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, including the acquisition of federal funds and assistance in raising private contributions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to each member of Hawaii's Congressional Delegation.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium; funding; Congressional delegation; strongly urging