Archives for Hula

Be There: 28th Annual Memorial Day Observance at the Nat

A picnic or a paddle? Do it. A family get-together or a round of golf? By all means. That’s part of what holiday weekends are for. But the Memorial Day holiday has another, more central purpose. One we shouldn’t forget: to remember and thank the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to defend our country. There have been an estimated 1.3 million such sacrifices, from the time of the American Revolution to our most recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Memorial Day Weekend Observance at the Natatorium You are cordially invited to the 28th annual Memorial Day Weekend
Read More

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

Photos from the 2015 Natatorium Memorial Day Service

If you were there on Sunday for the annual Memorial Day Weekend observance at the Natatorium, here’s a second look with lots of photos. If you couldn’t make it, here’s just a hint of what you missed: Ceremony Recap –Lead-off speaker Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, deputy commander of U.S. Marine Forces Pacific. He’s a topgun fighter pilot and combat veteran with more than 5,000 hours of flight time logged, including more than 4,000 in F-18s. His career, his demeanor and his message make you proud to be an American. —Betsy Merritt, deputy general counsel of the National Trust for
Read More

Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Hula, Images, Memorial Day, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Uncategorized.

More Natatorium Memorial Day photos!

The consensus: It was one of the best ever. The 24th annual Memorial Day Service at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Just the right combination of solemn reflection, joyful performance and precision military pageantry. Just the right combination of revered older veterans and starry-eyed young dancers, singers and Pledge of Allegiance leaders. Just the right setting. Just the right weather. Just the right way to honor our nation’s war dead and veterans. And, especially, just the perfect way to commemorate the more than 10,000 from Hawai’i who volunteered for “The Great War,” World War I. They are the ones, after
Read More

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

Photos from the Natatorium Memorial Day service (and mahalo nui!)

Mahalo to everyone who came out for the 24th annual Memorial Day Service at the Natatorium! We want to thank our engaging speakers, Gen. Gary North, VA health care executive Tom Driskill and centenarian Young Fun Choy (represented by his daughter, Jan). Thanks also to Aaron Ho, the Air Force Honor Guard, Chaplain Anthony Wiggins for his moving invocation and benediction, Olana Ai and her keiki hula dancers, and musicians (including Cyril Pahinui) who made the ceremony so special. And we especially want to thank all the veterans who came out to remember their fallen comrades with us. It was
Read More

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

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.

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.

Photos from the Natatorium's Memorial Day Service

Mahalo to everyone who joined us at the Natatorium on Sunday for our 22nd annual Memorial Day observance! It was a beautiful day and a memorable morning: thought-provoking addresses by our speakers, Lieutenant General Benjamin Mixon and Kim Napier; beautiful, meaningful vocal and hula performances; the inspirational participation of our military men and women and the King’s Guard; the presence of so many veterans. Here are just a few photographs from the ceremony. To see more on Flickr, click here. For a slideshow, click here. Another set of photos is available on Picasa here. A Picasa slideshow here. Thanks again!
Read More

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

Join us: Memorial observance at the Natatorium on Sunday

Please join us this Sunday morning, May 30, for the 22nd annual Memorial Service at the Waikiki Natatorium. We remember Hawai’i’s soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines with music, hula and oratory. And we do so at the place dedicated to their memory by the people of our state. A music and hula prelude starts at 9:30 a.m. and our moving formal ceremony begins at 10 a.m. This year’s theme is “Ku pa’a i ka ho’ihi, ka ho’omana’o, me ka ho’ala,” or “Committed to Respect, Remembrance and Renewal.” Our keynote speaker, representing veterans and active duty military personnel, will be Lieutenant
Read More

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