Oahu – Page 5 – Historic Hawaii Foundation

Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium (2005)

Opened in 1927, the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium was built to honor the men and women of Hawaii who served during the "Great War." Learn more about this historic place and the world-wide community supporting its restoration below. Historic Hawaii Foundation's Position 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 re-design 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. UPDATE: 2014 NATATORIUM NAMED A "NATIONAL TREASURE" BY NATIONAL TRUST At the National Trust for Historic Preservation, we work to preserve and protect landscapes, buildings, and neighborhoods that have played a meaningful role in our past. We want future generations to be able to experience and discover their own connections to these places as well. We have several programs focused entirely on identifying endangered historic places and taking action to save them. National Treasures. Irreplaceable historic places across the country -- from beloved local schoolhouses to well-known monuments -- illustrate the American story in all its richness. We are building a portfolio of endangered National Treasures, and raising needed funds, creating coalitions of advocates, and fighting in the courts to protect them. http://natatorium.org/natatorium-national-treasure/ http://www.savingplaces.org/what-are-national-treasures UPDATE: 2012 – DON’T GET US STARTED The Natatorium - managed by the City and County of [...]

Hawai‘i Public Schools Redevelopment (2013)

Photos: Courtesy of Olivier Koning Article Written By: Victoria Wiseman, HONOLULU Magazine What are they? Many of the Hawaii Department of Education’s inventory of 258 campuses are historic. Some, including McKinley High School, are on the National Register of Historic Places, while others aren’t, but meet the criteria for preservation. These buildings are not just integral to school-age children, but to the community at large. “[A school] is almost always a focus of the community,” says Gushard. “When we have public meetings, they’re almost always in a school.” And the architecture adopted by each school reflects a diversity based on myriad influences. “They tell the entire architectural history of the Islands,” he says. What threatens them? Despite their historic value, our schools are not in good shape. “We’re 51st in the nation for capital improvement budget reinvestment in schools,” says Ray L’Heureux, assistant superintendent for school facilities. “We spend $284 per kid for school facilities. The Mainland average is $1,200. If you spread that among the 258 campuses, we’re in a state of decay.” In November, the Legislature passed a law that charges the DOE with developing public school lands to raise money for upgrades. The pilot program will consist of three school locations, and all the revenue gleaned is to be put into a fund specifically for so-called “21st-century” upgrades. Preservationists such as Gushard would like to see the DOE first take inventory of all the schools to see how many are historically important. Additionally, the choice of private entities selected to monetize the DOE land needs to be thoughtful, says Faulkner. “The criteria for selection is murky and that’s part of the threat.” What can be done? Experts say 21st-century education can happen [...]