Archives for Waikiki Natatorium

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.

Memorial Day Observance at the Natatorium: Sunday, May 28

Before you go to the holiday picnic or cookout, get to the heart of the holiday. Memorial Day is meant for remembrance of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, marines and coast guards who have given their lives in service to our nation during armed conflict. We will honor them all at the 29th annual Memorial Day Weekend observance at the War Memorial Natatorium, 2815 Kalakaua Ave.in Waikiki. It takes place Sunday, May 28, at 10 a.m. You are invited to attend. Those We Remember The number of the men and women we honor on Memorial Day Weekend has now
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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, and Memorial Day.

Support the Natatorium… and score Bruno Mars tickets!

Friends, this is a bit complicated. But very, very, very cool. Stick with us, and we’ll explain as clearly as we can. Point 1: Heineken (yup, the beer company) sponsors The Cities Project. It’s an effort to do important, positive things in metropolitan areas around the world. Point 2: This year, the Cities Project has teamed up with our friends at the National Trust for Historic Preservation to support 11 important preservation and civic projects around the country. Point 3 (and this is a BIG one!): One of those projects is our effort – your effort, really – to preserve,
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Categories: Events, Friends of the Natatorium, National Trust for Historic Preservation, and Support.

Your Voice Must be Heard! City Council to Consider Natatorium Resolution

You’ve read about it. Now support it! The new design concept for preservation, repair and reopening of the War Memorial Natatorium [see the image below] is on a Honolulu City Council committee’s agenda for this Thursday, Jan. 19. What’s Going On? The Zoning and Housing Committee will vote Thursday on a resolution urging the mayor and city officials to include the new design concept in the ongoing environmental impact study of the Natatorium’s future. If the city does not study this design, there’s a danger there will be no analysis of any viable, affordable preservation option. That would mean the
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Categories: Elected officials, Environmental Impact Study, Friends of the Natatorium, and National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Veterans Day at the Natatorium Kicks Off Centenary Countdown

This Veterans Day — this coming Friday — is special. On that day, the entire world begins two years of commemorations leading up to Nov. 11, 2018, the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the horrors of World War I. Mark the opening of the countdown with us on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., the traditional 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. We will gather at Hawaii’s official World War I monument, the War Memorial Natatorium in Waikiki. This is the 20th year that Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8616 has organized
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Categories: Friends of the Natatorium, Uncategorized, Veterans, and Veterans Day.

Friday: Remember World War I's Biggest Battle 100 Years Ago

This Friday is the 100th anniversary of the start of one of the bloodiest battles in human history: World War I’s Somme Offensive. It began July 1, 1916, with a British and French attack on German lines in the area of the River Somme in far northern France. By the time it ended in mid-November, the two sides had suffered casualties of more than a million men killed or wounded. The United States was not yet a part of the war in 1916. But Australian Andrew Dowling wrote us recently, asking if there was any World War I memorial in
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Categories: Events, History, and Uncategorized.

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.

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

'The Tank' Now Available on DVD

We’ve just received a DVD version of The Tank, the great short documentary on the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium that aired a few months ago on KHNL-TV. Many of our friends on the Mainland and around the world couldn’t see the broadcast; many here in Hawaii want to see the film again and share it with friends and family. You asked for it. No problem! Now you can get it. Here’s How to Get Yours While supplies last, we’ll send a DVD of The Tank as a thank-you for a tax-deductible donation of $25 or more to the Friends of
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Categories: Documentary, Friends of the Natatorium, Support, and Uncategorized.