Mayor Mufi Hannemann has announced the formation of a task force on the future of the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium.

The 17-member group will hold its first meeting today, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., in the mayor's conference room on the third floor of Honolulu Hale.

"This community-based planning process will help us decide how best to honor the symbolism and history of the natatorium while also addressing the real problems presented by its current condition," Hannemann said. "Our community has wrestled with this dilemma for far too long, and it's time to move forward with solutions."

Task force members include Rick Bernstein of the New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel Coalition; Rick Egged, president of the Waikiki Improvement Association; Kiersten Faulkner, executive director of Historic Hawai'i Foundation; and Linuce Pang, president of the Friends of the Natatorium.