Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium
Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium
3.5
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Honors 102 servicemen from Hawaii killed in World War I.
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Neighbourhood: Diamond Head - Kapahulu - St. Louis
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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3.5
44 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
5
Average
16
Poor
5
Terrible
6
pchnmain
LA/OC762 contributions
Mar 2023
Let's say you're riding a bike on Kalākaua Ave, away from central Waikiki and towards Diamond Head; you might notice the "Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial" on the ocean side of the street, across from Kapi'olani Regional Park.)
The Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial is a war memorial in Honolulu. It was built in the form of an ocean water public swimming pool. The natatorium was built as living memorial dedicated to "the men and women of Hawaii who served during the great war".
It was completed in 1927. It has been closed to the public since 1979. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
A draft study in 2018-2019 estimated that it would take around $26 million to renovate the memorial. Money was allocated. Work started--but stopped in 2001 because of an opposition group. Things have been at a standstill since. (I only mention this in case you wonder why they haven't "done anything".)
Nowadays, there's a lot of fencing to prevent the public from entering and getting injured.
I wouldn't make a special trip to visit this site. But when I am on a bike ride in Waikiki, I do swing by. You can take nice close-up pictures of the architectural features. But in its current state, it's a bit unimpressive.
At this time, it seems that the ocean is taking its toll and wants to claim it.
The Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial is a war memorial in Honolulu. It was built in the form of an ocean water public swimming pool. The natatorium was built as living memorial dedicated to "the men and women of Hawaii who served during the great war".
It was completed in 1927. It has been closed to the public since 1979. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
A draft study in 2018-2019 estimated that it would take around $26 million to renovate the memorial. Money was allocated. Work started--but stopped in 2001 because of an opposition group. Things have been at a standstill since. (I only mention this in case you wonder why they haven't "done anything".)
Nowadays, there's a lot of fencing to prevent the public from entering and getting injured.
I wouldn't make a special trip to visit this site. But when I am on a bike ride in Waikiki, I do swing by. You can take nice close-up pictures of the architectural features. But in its current state, it's a bit unimpressive.
At this time, it seems that the ocean is taking its toll and wants to claim it.
Written 19 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul
Oahu, HI1 contribution
Jul 2022
It’s a national disgrace that a war memorial should be in this dilapidated condition. Why the Hawaiian people have let this happen is beyond me
Written 18 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wilson L
Kelowna, Canada4,343 contributions
Jan 2020
Cool to see if you're already there. Really cool building. We saw it while we were at the aquarium so we swung by and took a look. Public washrooms attached to it which is nice.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dave C
Long Beach, WA198 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
A non profit is trying to renovate this and they have their work cut out for them. Currently it is NOT a tourist destination but a place for the homeless to shower and use the bathrooms. GOOD LUCK TO YOU RENOVATORS.
Written 23 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Llewellyn53
Melbourne, Australia4,192 contributions
Jun 2019 • Couples
A slice of art deco history that is in dire need of some serious restoration work. The front has had some patching but the pool deck and walls are literally falling to pieces and it is likely to get worse when you look at how long it takes anything to be done on Oahu. Worth a look as you walk past but don't go out of your way. We chatted to a local and he told us it was sad that there wasn't even a plan underway to fix the pool because of it's historical significance
Written 30 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randall S
Lafayette, CO77 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
The site has some information on how the site once was an important facility. But it is largely chained off and not very accessible. Rather sad.
Written 3 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Don P
Dallas, TX14,494 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
This is an interesting War Memorial of World War 1, but it was closed off and looked to be in significant disrepair. And surprisingly it has a plaque on it giving thanks for people leading the restoration in 2000. Hard to believe it was actually restored in 2000 given the state it is in now. It was mostly blocked off due to safety concerns (I would guess). The parking lot was being used by folks going to the beach, so I guess it was serving some purpose.
Written 24 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rmjones9
Fort Worth, TX142 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
We love history and really enjoyed visiting Pearl Harbor. We took our son and we all enjoyed seeing the Arizona memorial and we learned a lot from the audio tour. We also toured the Bowfin submarine, which gave us a real appreciation for submariners.
Written 26 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randall S
Honolulu, HI172 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
The Natatorium itself is a beautiful edifice and a wonderful but often forgotten War Memorial. While one can no longer swim in this gorgeous ocean pool, the site still provides a fantastic view of Waikiki especially at sunrise when the sun's rays first start to touch the faces of he hotels along the beach.
Written 3 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BubbleMarker
Yulee, FL669 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
In truth, there is an old building, swimming pool and arch - nothing else, but this monument to WWI deserves some love and respect.... both Duke K and Johnny Weismuller swam here. Hawaii wasn't even a state during WWI or when the monument was built, and the beach next door is a secret gem in Waikiki.
Written 28 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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