As the state plans to take control over the Natatorium, one group says it will take a stand against some powerful interests.
An attorney for Kaimana Beach Coalition wanted to find out more about the state’s plans for the natatorium, so he obtained copies of internal emails within the city and state under the freedom of information act.
This is what the WWI memorial looks like now.
"It’s just wasting right there, it’s like an eyesore," says Daniel Stewart, who frequents Kaimana Beach Park.
And this is a picture of what it was on the road to look like a memorial beach.
"We thought this issue was put to bed with the city task force 3 years ago. What they decided was to have a public beach, no commercial interests, no stadium," says Jim Bickerton, Kaimana Beach Coalition Attorney.
But earlier this year, Governor Abercrombie said he had some hopes to preserve the memorial and install volleyball courts instead.
Through dozens of pages of emails obtained between the governors staff, it becomes clear that the ball is already in motion.
One email from the Governor’s policy office says:
"The Governor wants to keep the main structure intact and create a world -class venue for beach volleyball. We probably can’t keep the pool – we’d need to do something like build the volleyball court on piles IN the pool."
And other emails show they will be asking the legislature to fund this $100 million dollar endeavor.
"They haven’t been open with the public, they haven’t been honest with the public," says Bickerton.
The Kaimana Beach Coalition says the part that concerns them the most is that the Governor’s office is working with some groups, but not others.
"Discussing that they will let the hotels know the timing of when the governor is going to take back the natatorium, this is not telling the public, but they are telling hotel executives," says Bickerton.
The Governor’s spokesperson today said the Governor has not spoken with any hotel executives or special interests groups.
"If they try to build a stadium there, they will have to follow the law and we’ll be there to make sure they will follow the law."
The Governor’s office said they are waiting for DLNR to complete an assessment of the natatorium before any plans are solidified.
And they probably won’t announce their official plans to the public until the governor’s state of the state address next year.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
