NPS Seeking Input on Traditional Cultural Properties Guidelines
National Register of Historic Places Guidance on TCPs to be updated after 30 years; Comments due April 30 2/9/2023: The National Register of Historic Places is seeking comments on its revised “National Register [...]
NEW DATE ANNOUNCED: O‘ahu Tax Advisory Commission Recommends Massive Property Tax Increase on Historic Properties
Council Information Briefing Scheduled Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. In person and via livestream and television 8/20/22: Annual property taxes on both historic homes and historic commercial properties on the island of [...]
Why Preserving Route 560 on Kaua‘i is Worth Fighting For
Guest contributor Jonny Wichman shares his perspective on why he, as a member of the Hanalei Roads Committee, has spent years fighting to preserve Route 560, a ten-mile scenic road on the north shore of [...]
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Invites Public Comment on Eruption Recovery Projects
2/14/2022: The National Park Service has scheduled two public meetings to gather input for the environmental assessment for buildings, facilities and infrastructure damaged during the 2018 eruption and summit collapse of Kīlauea crater at Hawai‘i [...]
Navy To Host Virtual Public Meeting On Proposed New Drydock At Pearl Harbor
2/14/2022: The U.S. Navy has opened the public comment period on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with construction and operation of a new dry dock and waterfront production [...]
Public Meeting on Redevelopment of the Board of Water Supply Complex Set for Thursday, November 8
The Board of Water Supply will be issuing a Request for Proposal to redevelop a portion of its Beretania Complex. A presentation and public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 8, 2018, from 6:00 to [...]
Create an Advocacy Group Specific to the Site You Want to Save
To help save a place you love, assemble a group of people with a common goal to protect the historic property from demolition or inappropriate development. Raise public awareness and knowledge through outreach, and influence decisions through public input opportunities. Knowing what is possible and when public comment is taken is key to success. For State and Federal projects that may impact historic places, there may be an announcement in the newspaper or that department’s website. Your group may need to raise awareness through having a website, emailing announcement, writing letters to state and federal agencies, as well as contacting your representatives. See the “Saving the Neighborhood” handbook for how to get started!
City & County of Honolulu to Undertake Environmental Study for Natatorium
7/9/14: The City & County of Honolulu will host a stakeholders scoping meeting for the Environmental Impact Statement for the Waikīkī War Memorial on July 21, 6:30 p.m. at Kaimukī High School.
Download the Meeting Announcement
5/13/14: The City & County of Honolulu has announced its intention to conduct an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for potential changes to the Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium and adjacent areas. The study will evaluation at least three alternatives: no action; reconstruction and restoration of the Natatorium; and demolition of the war memorial with construction of a new beach and memorial arch. The description of the study and conceptual drawings of the alternatives to be evaluated are attached.
The City has engaged planning consultant WCP Inc. to conduct the evaluation of alternatives and prepare the EIS. They anticipate publishing the preparation notice for the EIS in summer 2014 and the making the subsequent Draft EIS available for public review in spring 2015.
To learn more about the history of the War Memorial and previous efforts to use, restore, demolish, and/or rehabilitate the Natatorium, see https://historichawaii.org/waikiki-war-memorial-natatorium-background/
Historic Hawai‘i Foundation’s position on the preferred alternative for the War Memorial is:
- HHF supports the stabilization, preservation and rehabilitation of the Waikīkī War Memorial Natatorium.
- HHF recommends that the immediate strengthening, repair and stabilization of the structure’s frame be completed per the plans that were halted in 2005, including the sea walls and deck.
- HHF recommends, in conjunction with resuming the work to stabilize the structure, that engineering, planning and permitting be undertaken for the redesign of the pool.
- HHF recommends that the City engage in dialogue with state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, business organizations and other stakeholders to craft a public-private partnership for the long-term rehabilitation, maintenance and operation of the facility.
Comments on specific issues or concerns you feel should be addressed in the EIS may be sent to: WCP Inc., 99-061 Koaha Way, Ste. 208, ‘Aiea, HI 96701.
