The Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium is one of 10 culturally important Honolulu locations chosen as venues for “Speaking in Silence,” a work of performance art highlighting Hawaiian history and the diversity here of concepts of enlightenment and consciousness. The work – conceived by artist Ernesto Pujol – takes place this Saturday, June 18; the portion at the Natatorium is scheduled to run from sunrise to sunset. Pujol is a visiting artist at the Contemporary Museum, where a survey of his work called “Walking Ground” is on display until Oct. 2. He refers to himself as a “site-specific public performance artist
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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
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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,
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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
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Events, Memorial Day, Uncategorized, and Veterans.
Friends of the Natatorium, Memorial Day, and veterans.
Friends of the Natatorium, Memorial Day, 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
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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
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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
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Tuesday: Make a call (or 3) for the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial
A reminder: Historic Preservation Awareness Day is today –Tuesday, March 22 — from 9 a.m. to 12 noon on the third floor of the State Capitol in Honolulu. The Friends of the Natatorium will be there, along with more than 40 other organizations, talking to legislators, staff, other state officials and Capitol visitors about the importance of preserving culturally and historically important sites in Hawai’i. Tuesday would be a perfect day for you to make a quick call to Legislative leadership just to say, “I wanted to call you on Preservation Day to let you know I support restoring the
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Join Natatorium supporters at the State Capitol on March 22
Plan now to join the Friends of the Natatorium for a very important event at the State Capitol in Honolulu on Tuesday, March 22: the ninth annual Historic Preservation Awareness Day. This is our best chance each year to tell to the Natatorium’s story to senators and representatives, to legislative staff, and to Capitol visitors. And it’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about the threats to other culturally and historically important sites throughout our state. From 9 a.m. to 12 noon, the Friends of the Natatorium will be on the third floor of the Capitol with representatives of more than
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Let's honor Friends of the Natatorium board member Fred Ballard
Attention, friends and admirers of Fred Ballard, a Friends of the Natatorium director since 1995 and longtime board secretary: You’re invited to a testimonial luncheon in Fred’s honor on Sunday, Feb. 13, sponsored by the Oahu Veterans Council. This is a chance to thank Fred for all he has done in tireless, selfless service to his fellow veterans. We want to thank him for what he has done through the council, certainly, but also for his 16 years of steadfast advocacy for restoration of the Natatorium, Hawaii’s memorial to the soldiers and sailors of World War I. Luncheon attendees are
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