THE SENATE
S.B. NO.
3291
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the waikiki war memorial complex.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Waikiki war memorial natatorium was constructed in 1927 to serve as a "living memorial" to the approximately ten thousand residents of Hawaii who served in the first world war. As a site listed on the national register of historic places, the natatorium is a landmark of cultural and historical significance.
The legislature further finds that, since its closure to the public in 1979 due to safety concerns, the natatorium has undergone significant structural degradation. However, the legacy of those who served, and the community's desire to maintain a space dedicated to the dual themes of military sacrifice and the pursuit of global peace, remains steadfast.
Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to preserve the history of Hawaii's participation in the first world war and promote understanding of war and peace by providing funding to assist with the rehabilitation of the Waikiki war memorial complex, including the Waikiki war memorial natatorium, and to develop a war memorial center.
SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $30,000,000 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 2026-2027 for the purpose of assisting War Memorials of Hawaii Inc., a Hawaii nonprofit corporation, with:
(1) The acquisition of land;
(2) The rehabilitation of the Waikiki war memorial natatorium and Waikiki war memorial complex; and
(3) The planning, design, and construction of a war memorial center within the Waikiki war memorial complex on parcels identified by tax map key numbers (1) 3-1-31-3, -9, and -10;
provided that the following conditions are met:
(A) The Hawaii community development authority shall assist War Memorials of Hawaii Inc., in:
(i) Developing a conceptual master plan;
(ii) Negotiating a master lease with the board of land and natural resources and the city and county of Honolulu; and
(iii) Financing and developing the war memorial center;
(B) War Memorials of Hawaii Inc., shall solicit the participation of business, community, government, and military organizations in the rehabilitation of the Waikiki war memorial natatorium and Waikiki war memorial complex and the planning, design, financing, and construction of the war memorial center; and
(C) The Waikiki war memorial natatorium, Waikiki war memorial complex, and war memorial center shall be designed for use by business, community, government, and military organizations and the general public to foster a better understanding of wars and peace.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii community development authority for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by 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, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
HCDA; Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium; Waikiki War Memorial Complex; War Memorial Center; General Obligation Bonds (GO Bonds); CIP
Description:
Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds for capital improvement projects to rehabilitate the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium and develop a Waikiki war memorial complex and War memorial center.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.