Six merchant mariners killed in a submarine attack on the S.S. Aztec. The Hawaii Naval Militia deployed on the U.S.S. St. Louis for convoy duty in the Atlantic. More than 5,500 soldiers readied for war in what is still the largest mobilization in Hawaii National Guard history.
The Hawaii Naval Militia in 1917 on the steps of Iolani Palace.
Red Cross ambulance drivers in France. Sweater-knitting schoolkids and firefighters. Bandage rollers in the Iolani Palace throne room. Liberty Bond buyers.
In all, more than 10,000 men and women from Hawaii volunteered for service in World War I. At least 101 of them died. And many, many more served in one way or another on the home front.
It was an unprecedented global war, gargantuan, horrific, and horribly misnamed as the “War to End All Wars.” In all, there were an estimated 40 million casualties.
Join us Nov. 11 at the Natatorium
On Sunday, Nov. 11, the entire world will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armistice. That ceasefire legendarily went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. It ended the so-called Great War.
In Hawaii, we will gather that day at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. We will honor those who served. We will remember.
Officers training in Hawaii for service in World War I.
The schedule includes a colorful combined Armistice Day and Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m., ending with an impressive F-22 fighter jet flyover.
Before that, at 6 a.m., when the Armistice was actually signed, Hawaii’s Celtic Kula Pipe Band will play When the Battle is O’er. The performance is part of a pre-dawn tribute by bagpipers around the world.
All day, there will be exhibits on Hawaii’s participation in World War I, plus speakers, films, music, even dancing to big band jazz by the Harry James Orchestra.
The commemoration ends at 8:45 p.m. with fireworks over the Natatorium, Hawaii’s official World War I memorial.
Location and parking
All Nov. 11 events will be at or near the War Memorial Natatorium at 2815 Kalakaua Ave. in Waikiki. Parking will be tough, so we recommend leaving your car offsite and taking the trolley shuttle, available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Trolley stops are listed near the top of the schedule of events page.
Honor those who died; remember those who served
Mahalo to everyone involved in organizing one of the best, most substantive and most meaningful World War I commemoration events in the entire country.
And mahalo to you and your family for attending. Together, we will remember, honor, and teach the next generation about sacrifices that should never be forgotten.
