Natatorium Seawall Poses Hazard to Public Safety

By Wendy Osher

The City and County of Honolulu begins mitigation work on Monday to address public safety concerns at the Waikiki Natatorium.

City officials say the deterioration of the structure’s seawall has created hazardous conditions and potential injury to swimmers.

A recent inspection revealed that portions of the Natatorium’s concrete seawall are severely cracked and could fall into surrounding waters.

Work on the wall includes the removal of cracked concrete along the perimeter of the pool.  Workers plan to erect temporary scaffolding with damaged concrete to be lowered to rafts and transported to shore.

The public is being advised to stay away from the structure.  Crews will also place buoys 20 feet from the wall to keep swimmers and beach users out of the work area.

Completion of the work is expected to take five days, but is subject to tide and wave conditions.