The Star-Advertiser today published an opinion piece by Donna L. Ching, vice president of the Friends of the Natatorium. She salutes the efforts of the Memorial Task Force, now gathering input on how to honor Hawaii’s sons and daughters lost in Iraq, Afghanistan and the War on Terror. Donna suggests that the best course would be to locate a Gulf War Memorial at or adjacent to our Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, creating in effect a memorial park to honor Hawaii’s fallen from all wars. We urge you to read Donna’s piece on the Star-Advertiser website and leave your comments there.
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Archives for News coverage
Natatorium Op-ed by Peter Apo: Demolition Moratorium
Don’t miss the opinion piece in the May 14 Star-Advertiser by Peter Apo. It’s important not just for the substance: Peter’s call for a two-year moratorium on threats to demolish the Natatorium, providing time and a safe space for a campaign to fund restoration. It’s also important for the eloquence and passion with which Peter makes his case. “A Measure of Who We Are” Read this passage, for instance: The Natatorium, Peter says, “is priceless as a statement of the character of Hawaii’s people. It is the stuff of which great cities are made. It can rise again, joining the
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The Natatorium Decision: Shame and Dishonor
The city and state announcement last week that they want to raze the Natatorium was a kick in the gut to supporters of the War Memorial. One of them is Mo Radke, 30-year Navy veteran, former command master chief of the Pacific Fleet and now a board member of Friends of the Natatorium. The roots of Mo’s disappointment are in his deep respect for those who preceded him in our nation’s service. He has now written about that respect, and that disappointment, in “Honor, Courage and Commitment,” an opinion piece for Honolulu Civil Beat. “I have a granddaughter who is
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Today's Natatorium News: Speak Your Mind Now!
This is terribly disappointing. But this is not over. The mayor and governor announced today that they are restarting the city’s environmental impact study. But there have already been multiple studies. They show that you can’t demolish the pool and build a new beach without breaking the law. And not just one law: lots of them, state and federal. If this study is done correctly, it will reach the same conclusion. If it isn’t done correctly, well, the natatorium will have its day in court. The shame is that we’re wasting yet more time. We shouldn’t be fighting in court.
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Will 2013 be the year, Natatorium friends?
Happy New Year, Natatorium friends and supporters! Like you, we hope 2013 will be another year of great progress in the effort to renew and reopen the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. Throughout the year, we’ll keep you up to date on the latest news and on what you can do to help. Natatorium New Year reading! To start the year, we want to share with you this story from the Hawaii Marine newspaper at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Kristen Wong of the base Public Affairs Office did a great job of explaining for her Marine readers what the Natatorium is,
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DVR alert: Ōlelo to air Natatorium Memorial Day observance
This year’s Memorial Day service at the Natatorium – the 24th annual – was one of the best ever. The songs, the dance, the military pageantry and the stirring keynote speech by Gen. Gary L. North, all in honor of Hawai’i’s and the nation’s war dead. And now, a chance to see and hear it all again (or for the first time, if you weren’t able to be there). Ōlelo Community Media will air a video of the solemn but celebratory observance four times this month, starting this Thursday. Watch the one hour, 12 minute program on Ōlelo’s NATV channel
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Events, Memorial Day, News coverage, and Uncategorized.
Gary North, Memorial Day, and Waikiki Natatorium.
Gary North, Memorial Day, and Waikiki Natatorium.
Star-Advertiser editorial supports governor on Natatorium
The Star-Advertiser editorialized Saturday morning in support of Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s plan to take back control of the War Memorial Natatorium from the city and county of Honolulu and explore alternatives to demolition. As the governor’s press secretary, Donalyn Dela Cruz, said in an earlier Star-Advertiser news story, “The governor believes it’s time for it to be fixed, or have a purpose.” The Friends of the Natatorium are deeply appreciative of the governor’s stepping up to finally and conclusively address an issue that’s been on and off politicians’ radar screens since the 1970s. We also very much appreciate the Star-Advertiser’s
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Memorial Service at the Natatorium: Another perspective
The Hawai’i Vacation Blog is out today with its commentary on last weekend’s Memorial Day Service at the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium. The blog’s Alyssa Navares focuses on one important point by Gen. Gary L. North, the Pacific Air Forces commander who delivered the keynote address at the 24th annual event. Gen. North talked about the significance of the simple words “The War Memorial” on the Natatorium’s entrance, and the assumption after “the War to End All Wars” that there would never be a need for another such monument to fallen military men and women. An assumption that, sadly, we
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Spreading the Natatorium story!
The Hawai’i Vacation Blog is telling the story of the Waikiki Natatorium to potential island visitors. The more who know, the better! Are you telling the story to your friends, relatives, neighbors, office colleagues, casual acquaintances and random passersby? (OK, probably not that last one. But all the rest: Yes!). Mahalo for your support!
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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
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