Archives for Images

Photos from the 2017 Natatorium Memorial Day Observance

Those who were there might like a few memories. Those who couldn’t make it this year might like a hint of what it was all about. So here are some photos of the 29th annual Memorial Day observance at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. The occasion was everything the dawn of a beautiful island day had promised. By 10 a.m., veterans, soldiers and sailors, bikers, surfers, regular folk and passersby had gathered at the Natatorium to pay tribute to those who have laid down their lives in war for the United States of America and for its people. In
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Categories: Friends of the Natatorium, Images, and Memorial Day.

Photos from the 2016 Natatorium Memorial Day Observance

It was simple, but so beautiful. Somber, yet joyous. Meaningful for all who had the honor to be there to remember our nation’s war dead. Mahalo to everyone who participated in the 28th annual Memorial Day observance at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. Those who spoke so eloquently. Those who danced with such grace. Those who who presented lei, flowers and salutes in tribute to fallen comrades. Those who performed military ceremonies. Those who sang. Those who sat quietly with their thoughts. Below are a few of the photos taken at the observance. A few more, with identifying captions,
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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Images, Memorial Day, and Uncategorized.

Your Family Photos in a Natatorium Film?

Do you have classic Natatorium photos like these? Hawaii’s TalkStory Productions is working on a film about the War Memorial Natatorium. You’ll see it this fall. This great film can be even better … if it includes your family photos, your home movies, your slides, videos or vintage post cards. How You Can Help Good times at the Tank back in the day? Check the photo albums, the slide carousels and those dusty boxes of 8 millimeter film. Let’s see ‘em! Send what you’ve got to producer Jason Lau at JLau@talk-story.com. Details, Please! Please be sure to send along caption
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Categories: Documentary, History, Images, Uncategorized, and Videos.

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

The Natatorium, Angkor Wat and the Tower of London?

The War Memorial Natatorium has stood physically on the shores of Waikiki since 1927. Now it also stands there virtually, captured — in three dimensions — by a stream of zeroes and ones. 3D Digital Model California-based nonprofit CyArk, working with our friends at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has just created a digital model of the Natatorium. They bounced laser light off the walls, bleachers and decks to get millions of highly accurate measurements. With high-tech computer modeling tools, those measurements are being converted into a 3D onscreen model that can be rotated, studied and manipulated. [How do
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Categories: Friends of the Natatorium, Images, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Uncategorized.

Do You Have Great Natatorium Photos Like This?

Time to check your ohana’s photo albums, scrap books, storage boxes and slide carousels. We need photos of you, your family and your friends at the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. If you have home movies, even better. Why? The Friends of the Natatorium are working with the film and television pros at TalkStory Productions to produce a documentary. We want to tell the Natatorium’s story. From the global conflict it was built to commemorate to the Olympic champions who swam at the Tank and international swimming records set there. But more than a sports history piece, it’s a love
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Categories: Documentary, Friends of the Natatorium, History, Images, News coverage, Uncategorized, and Videos.

See Natatorium Veterans Day Photos and TV Coverage

Mahalo to all who joined us on Veterans Day 2014! It was a moving and memorable observance. Veterans, serving military members and civilians joined together on the grounds outside the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium to pay tribute to those who have served our country. We thanked those veterans who were present. We remembered those who have fallen. We honored everyone who has worn the uniform of the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. A Floral Tribute to the 10,000 This was the 18th consecutive year that the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616 has sponsored its Veterans Day
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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, Images, News coverage, Uncategorized, Veterans, and Veterans Day.

Floral Tribute Links Swimming History with Veterans Day

A small, “small world” back story for Natatorium history buffs: The floral display that adorned the front gate of the War Memorial during Monday’s Veterans Day commemoration was provided by Sono Hirose, daughter of pioneer swimmer Takashi “Halo” Hirose. Additional flowers and accompanying lei were hung on the gate after the somber, ceremonial playing of Taps by Johnny Sanchez with Bugles Across America. Sono Hirose’s father Halo was one of Hall of Fame Coach Soichi Sakamoto’s prodigies from Maui, a competitor in many Natatorium meets and one of Hawai’i’s most celebrated swimmer/soldiers. Among other accomplishments, he was a world record
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Categories: Events, History, Images, Uncategorized, Veterans, and Veterans Day.

Time Travel: The Natatorium 59 Years Ago

This’ll take you back! A look at photos taken across territorial Honolulu and Oahu in 1954, five years before statehood. Ala Wai Canal. Ala Moana Park. Waikiki. Chinatown. Schofield Barracks. Kaneohe Bay. Kamehameha Highway. Wow; how things have changed in less than six decades! And pay particular attention to the three photos onscreen from 35 seconds to 50 seconds into the video. Yup: That’s the Natatorium. Being used. Being enjoyed. Being exactly what it was meant to be: A place to honor those from Hawaii who served in World War I, simply by enjoying the freedoms they fought to protect.
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Categories: History, Images, Uncategorized, and Videos.