Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial

We cannot let our 25th anniversary year end without paying special tribute to a man known as the Father of the Friends of the Natatorium.

Lin Pang stepped down earlier this year after 25 years as an officer and director of the Friends. He was elected vice chair at our very first meeting in August 1986.

“We would never have accomplished anything if Lin was not there,” says Joanie Apo, who met Lin at that first meeting and was elected herself as the Friends’ first executive director.

Lin Pang and wife, Jeanette (both in lei), receive the thanks of current and emeritus board members (l-r) Mo Radke, Yvonne Geesey, Joanie Apo, Frank Weight and Jim Anderson.

Joanie recalls Lin as the “peacemaker of the group,” the one who bridged the gaps between advocates of different strategies, the one who brought people to a shared vision and a common purpose.

“We would never have made it without his level-headedness, calm demeanor and good solid judgment,” Joanie says. “He was the one guy all of us could trust to keep things centered. He was our lifeline in all crises.”

Lin was also the Friends’ chief ambassador to the business community, and a master of the necessary logistics and coordination with city agencies that made our annual Memorial Day observance at the Natatorium and our other events so successful.

“Lin’s spirit, solid good sense and calm demeanor held the whole thing together,” Joanie says. “God bless Lin Pang.”

We all feel that way; that’s why present and directors of the Friends of the Natatorium got together recently to honor Lin and his wonderful wife, Jeanette, for everything they’ve done for the effort to preserve, restore and reopen the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. We know there’s a long way to go in this fight, but moments like this are a good time to stop and appreciate just how far we have come.

Mahalo and aloha, Lin!

You can thank Lin too!

Please leave your thoughts on Lin Pang and his legacy in the comments. And here’s another way you can honor Lin: As our 25th anniversary year winds down, consider a gift of $25 – or $2,500, or whatever you can afford – to support the work to which Lin has given so much time, energy and loving commitment. Here’s information on how to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Friends of the Natatorium. Please let us know that you’ve made your gift in Lin’s honor, and we’ll make sure to tell him. Mahalo to you and to all Friends of the Natatorium!

A print depicting the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is on exhibit now as part of a show at the South Street Gallery at Frame-Arts Hawaii.

The work is by Honolulu artist Laura Smith, who is also executive director of the nonprofit group Honolulu Printmakers.

"Closed" by Laura Smith

The show, featuring the works of nine printmakers from Hawaii and nine from California, is called “Water’s Edge.” Smith told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the Natatorium made the right subject for a show with that theme. “I thought ‘That’s perfect, there’s a swimming pool on the edge of the water,’” Smith said.

The print is titled “Closed,” highlighting the fact that an important Honolulu landmark — a state-designated official war memorial, and one that makes a subject for a beautiful work of art — is inaccessible to the public and in danger of being lost to us forever.

“Closed” and the entire “Water’s Edge” exhibition is open to the public for viewing through Dec. 1. South Street Gallery is open 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m Mondays through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. It’s closed on Sunday. Frame-Arts Hawaii is at 627 South St. Call 808-525-5212 for information.

Read the Nov. 13 Star-Advertiser story here.

Please join Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616, recent veterans from the U.S. Vets housing and work re-entry programs, the Honolulu Elks Lodge 616 and the Friends of the Natatorium for the VFW’s 15th annual Veterans Day wreath laying and commemoration.

The observance will take place at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium this Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. That’s the famous “11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,” the date and time that the armistice ending World War I went into effect 93 years ago.

Nov. 11 has been solemnly observed in the United States ever since, first as Armistice Day and from 1954 on as Veterans Day, an observance honoring all veterans of U.S, military service.

The Natatorium is a particularly appropriate place for a Veterans Day ceremony. It has been, since it opened in 1927, Hawai’i’s official memorial to more than 10,000 volunteers from here who served in the Great War.

Friday’s ceremony will include flower, lei and wreath laying and brief remarks honoring the service of U.S. soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and coast guards throughout the nation’s history, with special attention to those from Hawai’i. A U.S. Marine bugler will play Taps in memory of the nation’s war dead.

Members of the public are invited to attend and participate. If you cannot be there at 11 a.m., stop by the Natatorium [map and directions here] at any time on Nov. 11. Leave lei or flowers, or just spend a few moments in reflection in honor of Veterans Day and the veterans from Hawai’i to whom the memorial is dedicated.

Wherever you are this Friday, mahalo for offering your respect and appreciation to our nation’s veterans.