Report Title:

Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium Restoration; GO Bonds

Description:

Authorizes issuance of GO bonds in order to complete the restoration of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2214

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO THE WAIKIKI NATATORIUM.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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 saltwater pool that originally opened just 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, and after the war was again a popular recreational facility until deterioration forced its close in 1980.

In 1987, the legislature appropriated $1,200,000 for the planning and design of the natatorium. The city took over the project in 1999, allocating over $11,000,000 for design and construction. After a contract was awarded, the department of health in the late 1990s stopped the project because of 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 bill requesting restoration funds was introduced in 1994, and it became law.

The State appropriated $300,000 in 1994 to conduct studies and planning for the renovation of the natatorium. In 1999, the city and county of Honolulu commenced design and construction using over $11,000,000 they had appropriated to fully restore the natatorium. Due to delays, the project is currently underfinanced and an additional $3,000,000 is required to complete the renovation of the natatorium. 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 of the Waikiki war memorial natatorium.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $3,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for fiscal year 2004-2005, 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 appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized in this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2006, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.