Monthly Archives May 2011

Photos from the Natatorium's Memorial Day observance

Here are photos from Sunday’s wonderful, inspirational Memorial Day Observance, held for the 23rd year at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Mahalo to everyone who attended; to our eloquent speakers Ron Oba and Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen; to our dedicated Marine color guard, rifle squad and bugler; to our Navy chaplain; to our singers, Rodney Cazimero and the Prince Kuhio Civic Club Chorale; to our dancers, Kumu Hula Olana Ai and Hula Halau Olana; to our Pledge of Allegiance leaders from the kindergarten class at Waikiki Elementary; and to all the many volunteers who made possible a most meaningful Sunday
Read More

Categories: Events, Hula, Memorial Day, and Uncategorized.

If you couldn't make it: TV highlights of the Natatorium Memorial Day observance

Mahalo to everyone who came out to remember our nation’s honored war dead Sunday at the 23rd annual Memorial Day Observance at the Natatorium. If you were unable to make it, you missed a wonderful tribute to the men and women on whose sacrifices a nation is built. Here are some highlights of television coverage of the ceremony: In KITV’s story, Lt. Gen. Duane D. Thiessen, commander of U.S. Marines in the Pacific, is quoted calling the Natatorium “a visible reminder of the price paid over the course of history to ensure that we, and our sons and our daughters,
Read More

Categories: Events, Memorial Day, News coverage, Uncategorized, and Veterans.

Natatorium story in Honolulu Civil Beat: What does it mean?

Is this a step back? Or might it actually be a step forward? Honolulu Civil Beat is out with this story quoting Mayor Peter Carlisle. He says the city is moving ahead with the environmental impact statement that would be required to execute former mayor Mufi Hannemann’s plan to demolish the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Sounds dire. But read closely. Mayor Carlisle does not say he thinks demolition is a done deal. He does not say that it’s his preferred alternative. What the mayor does say is that “once the draft EIS is completed, I would like to review it
Read More

Categories: Friends of the Natatorium, News coverage, and Uncategorized.

Veterans need YOU this weekend: Volunteer for the National Veterans Golden Age Games

The National Veterans Golden Age Games are coming to Hawai’i for the first time! Join the Friends of the Natatorium: We need you to help to make these games an incredible success. This sports festival for veterans 55 and older, to be held from this Thursday, May 26, through Tuesday, May 31, is drawing more than 700 veterans to our state from across the country. They’ll compete in 14 events from dominoes and checkers to bowling and table tennis to swimming, cycling, golf, shot put and discus. There are seven age groups, and divisions for veterans who use wheelchairs or
Read More

Categories: Events, Memorial Day, Uncategorized, and Veterans.

Plan to be there: The Natatorium’s Memorial Day Observance, May 29

More reasons to look forward to the 23rd annual Memorial Day Observance at the Natatorium on Sunday, May 29, at 10 a.m.: –We will hear from World War II veteran Ronald M. Oba. Ron, now 88, was a member of F Company of the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the all-Japanese-American U.S. Army unit that fought in Italy, southern France and Germany and became the most decorated regiment in the history of the U.S. military. The retired hospital administrator is a former president of the 442nd Veterans Club and former editor of the 442nd Go for Broke Bulletin, named after
Read More

Categories: Events, Memorial Day, Uncategorized, and Veterans.

Navy, Army vets elected Friends of the Natatorium directors

Two military veterans and civic leaders this week joined the board of directors of the Friends of the Natatorium, taking on leadership roles in the fight to restore, renew and reopen the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. The board elected Yvonne Geesey to fill the seat left empty by the recent death of longtime Natatorium supporter and veterans’ activist Fred Ballard. Maurice D. “Mo” Radke was chosen to fill the vacancy that is opening with the retirement of longtime board member and former President Lin Pang. (More later on Lin’s years of service to the Friends.) Geesey, who also replaces Ballard
Read More

Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Uncategorized, and Veterans.

Taps: Last known combat veteran of World War I has died

A last salute to the very last known combat veteran of World War I. Claude Choules, who lied about his age to enlist in Britain’s Royal Navy, has died in Australia. He was 110. Choules saw action in the North Sea on the HMS Revenge, where he later witnessed the surrender of the German fleet in November 1918. He remained in uniform until 1956, transferring to the Royal Australian Navy in 1926 and serving in World War II as a demolition and explosives expert. Choules’ death ends mankind’s living memory of combat in the Great War. The last known American
Read More

Categories: History, Uncategorized, and Veterans.

Mark your calendar: Natatorium Memorial Day observance on May 29

You are invited to the 23rd ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY OBSERVANCE AT THE WAIKIKI WAR MEMORIAL NATATORIUMSunday, May 29, 10 a.m. [Note: Sunday, not Monday] Please join the Friends of the Natatorium for this poignant and meaningful ceremony, which is open to all. Covered seating will be available. The observance, sponsored by the Friends since 1989, recognizes the sacrifice of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coast guards and the triumph of the freedom and democratic values they fought to defend. This year’s event keynote speaker is Lt. Gen. Duane Thiessen, commander, U.S. Marine Forces Pacific. A Marine Corps rifle detail
Read More

Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Hula, Memorial Day, Uncategorized, and Veterans.