Aloha to Hickam Heritage Trail (part 3)

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The Big Barracks is home to the original flag that flew over the traffic circle.   

Today the traffic circle is a memorial to the airmen who have served for the past 70 years.

The full size Douglas RB-26C was the only combat aircraft to serve in WWII, the Korean Conflict, and Vietnam War.  

The wing headquarters overlooks the traffic circle. 

Notice its Arc Deco facade ... 

 ... plus the time capsule to celebrate the Bicentennial. 

Adjacent to the traffic circle is the historic hospital that served on the day of infamy.  From eye witness accounts on Hawaii Aviation (at this link),

“We ducked under the operating tables as the bombs fell, dropping our scalpels. There was no time to change hypodermic needles. This was a case of giving relief from pain as fast as possible.”

1Lt. Robert T. Garrett, MD AAF Medical Corps

Thank you for joining us on the Hickam Heritage Trail.   One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 23, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 24.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Hickam Harbor offers a view of Diamond Head

Aloha to Hickam Heritage Trail (part 2)

Returning to my son's Eagle Scout Project, we started from the Missing Man Formation in front of the Officers'  Club.

The club offers several historical displays ....

... including a special china pattern.  Notice the Freedom Tower as Hickam's logo.

We walked toward the historic hangers, now home of several squadrons.

The hangers lead to the Big Barracks - home of 3000 airmen on December 7, 1941.

The Japanese bombed the Big Barracks and the adjacent airfield.  The building is now the headquarters for Pacific Air Forces, but it maintained the strafing marks to honor its history.

The Japanese Zeroes aimed for the building interior ...

 ... this metal stair case still has the bullet holes.

   

The Big Barracks hosts the Courtyard of Heroes to remember those who served in World War II, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

  

  
The building is open to the public.   Above is the original flag that flew on the Hickam Flagpole on December 7, 1941.

I'll post pictures from the final leg later this week.  One randomly selected commenter from this week's posts wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 23, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 24, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Freedom Tower - the inspiration of the china motif.

Aloha to Sunset Beach on the North Shore

Sunset Beach offers more views of the North Shore .... 

... this photographer has the right camera to capture the power of the crashing waves.

One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 16, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to 'Ehukai Beach and the Bonzai Pipeline

'Ehu is spray; kai is sea.  Together, they are home to the Bonzai Pipeline - the Mecca of Surfing.

The beach was closed to swimming ... but seasoned surfers ventured out into the kai.   

 When the winter waves break over a shallow water above an offshore reef ...

.... the pipeline forms for serious surfers.

It was memorizing to watch the water rise .... 

... and fall into frothy white foam.

One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 16, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 17.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Aloha to Turtle Beach on the North Shore

The North Shore is famous for its monster waves .... and Turtle Beach.   The surf calms down (just a bit) in this cove where honu (turtles) come ashore.

Here is Nalukai ... aka Brutus!

The volunteers from Malama na Honu (Protect the Turtles) rope off the area once a honu comes ashore.   The Hawaiian green sea turtle is an endangered species and it is illegal to interact with them.   Malama na Honu strikes a balance by allowing tourists to view the honu behind the rope.   The volunteers also provide helpful information about the honu.

Brutus enjoys the sun ... and surf!

  
Sometimes the surf washes the turtles high onto the beach.  They find their way back to the kai (sea).

  
In the distance, I enjoyed the 10 foot waves roll into the pipeline.   

A few surfers ventured into the kai ...

... taking advantage of the winter waves.

One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 16, 10 pm in Hawaii.   I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 17, on SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

To learn more about Malama na Honu, check out their website at malamanahonu.org.  

Dedicated volunteers with Malama na Honu.

Aloha to the Hickam Heritage Trail (part 1)

My oldest son, Andrew, is creating a "Hickam Heritage Trail" for his Eagle Scout project.   He is publishing a brochure for a family friendly walk to the base's historical sites.   He led a team of volunteers to write the directions and descriptions ... I followed with my camera.  Above is the Nellis Chapel.

It is named for Army PFC Nellis, Chaplain's Assistant, who was killed in action on December 7, 1941.

Two sites overlook the Pearl Harbor Channel - Hickam Elementary School and the Freedom Tower.

The statue of an Oahu ali'i (chief) greets students as they arrive at Hickam Elementary School.

The school librarian (left) happened to walk out of the school and joined us for a picture.  

 From the school's website,

Kalani I Ka Lewa

Ascend to the Heavens

Kalani I Ka Lewa by artist Viliami Toluta’u was inspired by the natural instinct in humanity to be free as we are in America. The young Ali’i (chief) is releasing an eagle into the heavens, symbolizing the potential of children to soar high in life with education as their wings. The young Ali’i also pay homage to the spirit of the Freedom Tower with hope that the children emulate the eagle in exploring and scouting their horizons and its limitless possibilities. A grant from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (Art in Public Places Program) provided the funding for this special work of art.

The ali'i looks up to the Freedom Tower ... 

... the water tower was renamed the Freedom Tower in honor of Hickam Field's 50th anniversary.

From the school, we rambled over to the Pearl Harbor channel walkway, popular with runners, strollers, and dogs.  In the distance, the Wai'anae Range rises over the Ewa Plain.  

The Wright Bros. Cafe offered a refreshment break.

The channel trail leads to the Missing Man Formation, honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice.  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.   This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, March 9, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 10.

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

The librarian noted the school grounds previously served as the base's nursery.   Hence, Hickam has an abundance of flowers, including the Bird of Paradise.