Special Memorial Day Weekend Kick off - Jane visits the Big Barracks on Hickam Field

As we kick off Memorial Day Weekend, Jane visited the "Big Barracks" on Hickam Field.    The barracks housed and fed over 3000 airmen in the Army Air Corps.  On the Day of Infamy, they also came under attack ... 

Today the building serves at the Headquarters for
the Pacific Air Forces.  Note the bullet holes are
 preserved to remember the fallen.

The building is open to the public.   The hallway
offers several displays with WWII memorabilia.

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Jane is sitting next to one of the bullet holes 
in the interior stairwell.

Look for the second hole above Jane.

The courtyard is dedicated to the heroes of
campaigns supported by Pacific Air Forces,
including WWII,  Korea, and Vietnam.

This flag from December 7, 1941 was sent
on a war bond tour.   It was displayed at the
Air Force Academy before returning to Hawaii.

Do you have plans for Memorial Day Weekend?  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, May 26, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 27.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Movie Review - BATTLESHIP: 10 reasons why you should see it on Memorial Day Weekend

Let's get to the disclaimers:


1.  I moved to Hawaii in September 2009.   In fact, I live on Hickam Air Force Base, adjacent to Pearl Harbor.  One can't help but get caught up in the WWII nostalgia, including the Mighty Mo.

Shortly thereafter, there was some mention in the media about a new "sci fi" film being shot in Hawaii.  It was based on the Hasbro game BATTLESHIP.  

2.  In January 2010, the USS Missouri, a floating memorial, was moved into dry dock.   The director of BATTLESHIP, Peter Berg, shot several scenes while the ship was in dry dock.   When it came out of dry dock, Berg asked the Missouri's foundation to tow it off Oahu to film water scenes.

Before .... 

... after.

3.  In July 2010, the US Navy's Pacific Fleet hosted RimPac - a sea exercise with Naval Forces from the Pacific Rim.   Berg shot film during RimPac.  It is a biannual event - so RimPac is back in 2012.

4.  Two years later, my friends Nadja and Renee attended a special advance screening of BATTLESHIP on Pearl Harbor.   They loved it and mentioned that the film featured a double amputee.  I immediately realized the amputee was Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson, commander of the Wounded Warrior Unit at Walter Reed Army Hospital.   My children have met Colonel Gadson through mutual friends.   

Saturday, May 19, was Armed Services Appreciation Day.    It seemed appropriate to see this movie.  The film opens in 2006.  Scientists have discovered another planet similar to Earth.  They send a message via satellite from Oahu.   Elsewhere on Oahu, drifter Alex Hopper (Taylor Kitsch) celebrates his birthday with older brother, Stone  (Alexander Skarsgard), who is a Naval officer.   Stone suggests Alex join the Navy.  Instead, Alex spots a pretty girl, Samantha Shane (Brooklyn Decker), and engages in a stupid stunt to impress her.   The stunt lands him in jail but the girl never forgot.

Six years later, Stone is the commander of the USS Samson.   Alex is a weapons officer aboard the USS John Paul Jones.  He wants to marry Sam.   Sam is a physical therapist for Mick Canales (Greg Gadson).  Sam's father, Admiral Shane (Liam Neeson), is about to kickoff the RimPac.   Alex and Sam are late for the ceremony on board the USS Missouri - a floating memorial.   As they run to the gangway, Alex overhears a child asking what is the difference between a battleship and destroyer.   Alex stops to say that the battleship is obsolete and the destroyer is superior.   After the ceremony, Alex gets into scuffle with Captain Nagata (Tadanobu Asano), a Japanese commander who ignites Alex's temper.   Both are called before Admiral Shane, who admonishes Alex for his waste of talent.   RimPac begins.

Meanwhile, five aliens ships are flying towards Earth.  NASA alerts the Pentagon.  The Pentagon queries other nations.   But the ships are flying too fast to respond.  One ship crashes into a satellite, sending broken parts to Hong Kong, Germany, France, Scotland, and Iowa (someone in the film production must be from Iowa!)   The Chinese report the damaged parts in Hong Kong are made of unknown materials except for one element that is used for communications equipment.    The other four ships land in the Pacific Ocean near Oahu where the original message was sent.   Admiral Shane sends three destroyers to investigate the odd blips on the radar screen  - Alex on board the USS John Paul Jones, Stone on board the USS Samson, and Captain Nagata on the JDS Myoko.   As the destroyers approach the unknown "thing" in the water, they trip off the "protective dome" that encapsulates the alien ships, the three destroyers, and the Hawaiian islands.   The rest of the Pacific Fleet is outside the dome and cannot communicate with those trapped inside.  

The aliens set out to destroy any inanimate parts that can be used as weapons, including the three destroyers, Marine helicopters in Kaneohe Bay, even the H1 Freeway (the main artery through Honolulu).   The aliens then focus their efforts on setting up their communications equipment atop Oahu's mountains to send their own message back to the mother planet (probably, "Send more ships.")

Sounds complicated?  It's not as the action is quick.   When all three destroyers are lost, the remaining crew members realize only one ship remains - the Mighty Mo.  And here's where the real fun begins!   Can the ragtag crew, including antagonists Alex and Nagata, bring a 70 year old ship to life before the aliens can successful transmit a message?    

Naval veterans from BATTLESHIP

I offer you 10 reasons why you should see this movie, especially during Memorial Day Weekend:


10.  My friends told me to watch for a "possible preview of a sequel" after the credits.  We waited ... and were rewarded with a funny scene where school children find the "broken" ship that landed in Scotland.


Sigh.  Scotland.   


Wouldn't you like to see Highland warriors fight aliens in the next movie?

The Royal Navy in Scotland

9.  BATTLESHIP is flat out fluff entertainment.  It has plot holes, implausible scenes, and sappy dialogue.  Who cares?   Just enjoy the eye candy - breathtaking views around Oahu.  Sailors standing to attention in their whites.   Ships in maneuvers around the Pacific Ocean. 

8.  BATTLESHIP draws you into that "can do" spirit that pulled us through WWII.   Plus the audience is reintroduced to Naval history without knowing it.

7.  BATTLESHIP reminds us that peace is possible between enemies.  Large scale - RimPac includes a WWII enemy but current ally, Japan.   Small scale - Alex and Nagata find common ground (and respect) to combat the aliens.

6.  BATTLESHIP delivers comedic relief throughout the action scenes.   My favorite is spoken by an old salt aboard the Mighty Mo, "Somebody's gonna kiss the donkey."   Aptly said in Pidgin - Hawaii's slang.

5.  BATTLESHIP pays homage to the Hasbro game in a creative way (hint:  Kai e'e episode from Hawaii Five O).  Just enough time is spent on this "strategy" session without burdening the story with a vintage game.  At the very least, the audience might learn something about science!

4.  BATTLESHIP gives us characters to love - Alex the drifter who finds his niche.   Orky the unsure sailor who finds his confidence.   The geeky scientist who finds his courage.   Mick the double amputee who finds life again.

3.  Greg Gadson rocks!  Sam first meets his character, Mick, in the therapy room with other amputees.  Mick feels his life is over without his legs.   I believe real life wounded warriors feel the same about their injuries.   Sam takes him hiking with his new legs when they discover the aliens are setting up shop on their mountain.  Mick's "warrior instinct" kicks in ... and he uses his steel legs to combat the aliens.  They are titanium after all.


"Mick" wears a subdued NY Giants ball cap, giving a nod to his team.   Greg serves as their honorary coach, inspiring them to win the Superbowl in 2008.  If you don't know the story, read this link.

2.  The Mighty Mo.  Remember that Alex told a child that the battleship is obsolete in comparison to the destroyer?  It may be true in the modern Navy, but the Mighty Mo saves the day in this film.   Just when the sailors thought all was lost, the Old Salts show up in their vintage uniforms to get the Mighty Mo sailing.   AC/DC's THUNDERSTRUCK is pumping as the Old Salts teach the young sailors how to do it .... the old way.  


So I ask the question - was the movie named for the strategy game or a historic ship?  

Battleship cast in front of the Mighty Mo

1.  This film is a loving tribute to the military personnel and their families.  Go see it.  Cheer.  And feel good again about humanity.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii


I posted pictures from the Mighty Mo when it hosted a special event to celebrate BATTLESHIP at this link.


Plus pictures of the Scouts' overnight encampment at this link.


Plus the "real" satellite station overlooking Ka'ena Point at this link.

Aloha to the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Hop!

Romance at Random is hosting the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Hop.  2012 marks the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II's reign of the United Kingdom. She became Queen upon the death of her father, George VI, on February 6, 1952. Elizabeth was crowned on June 2, 1953. For more information about Jubilee events, check out the official website at this link.

Jane Austen at Hickam Beach 

The Kingdom of Hawaii has a long history with Great Britain, as demonstrated in the state flag. In fact, Queen Kapiolani and Crown Princess Liliuokalani attend Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.

But today we are celebrating DIAMONDS ... and we have one big one here on Oahu. Diamond Head is the iconic symbol of Waikiki Beach. From Go Hawaii (at this link),

Known as Leahi (brow of the tuna) in Hawaiian, the crater was named Diamond Head by 19th century British sailors who thought they discovered diamonds on the crater's slopes. These "diamonds" were actually shiny calcite crystals that had no value.

Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach

Formed more than 100,000 years ago, the crater was used as a strategic military lookout beginning in the early 1900's and was named a National Natural Landmark in 1968. Today, Diamond Head is a popular hiking destination with panoramic views of Waikiki and Oahu's south shore.

Diamond Head from Round Top Drive

In honor of the Diamond Jubilee, I am giving away a Royal Gift Pack with goodies from the UK and Hawaii.  To enter the giveaway,


1.  Leave a comment about diamonds - do you prefer jeweled diamonds or baseball diamonds?   Have you seen the Hope Diamond in the Smithsonian Museum?   Or James Bond in DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER?

2.  This giveaway is open to all readers.


3.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 26, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 27.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

Diamond Head from Hickam Beach

Visit the other blogs on this tour!

1.	Romance At Random	2.	Ruthie Knox
3.	Shannyn Schroeder	4.	cupcake's (Book) Cupboard
5.	www.dawntheauthor.blogspot.com	6.	jessica@jessicascott.net
7.	Shady Characters and Shapeshifters	8.	Bea's Book Nook
9.	Elisabeth Barrett	10.	Happy Ever After USA Today
11.	HeroesandHeartbreakers.com	12.	Red Hot Books
13.	Teresa's Reading Corner	14.	Malia Mallory
15.	SOS Aloha	16.	A Page In The Life
17.	kary@karyrader.com	18.	Erotic Notions
19.	Raven Bower	20.	Victoria's Pages of Romance
21.	[Insert clever quip here]	22.	Love, Laughter, Friendship
23.	CelticLady's Reviews	24.	Manga Maniac Cafe
25.	Ex Libris	26.	Book Flame
27.	Me and Reading (INT)	28.	My Book Addiction and More
29.	Reading Reality	30.	From the TBR Pile
31.	Fade Into Fantasy	32.	Hanging With Bells
33.	The Reading Reviewer	34.	Full Moon Bites
35.	Seasidebooknook@yahoo.com	36.	Jenna Jaxon
37.	StuckInBooks	38.	Lisa's World of Books
39.	Delighted Reader	40.	Michelle Clay
41.	Jennifer Wells, Paranormal Romance Author	42.	That's What I'm Talking about
43.	Stacey Brutger	44.	Just a Reader's Ramblings
45.	Geeky Bloggers Book Blog	46.	Lady Scribes
47.	heathervlong@gmail.com	48.	PonyTails Book Reviews
49.	The Blogging Book	50.	Jess resides here
51.	Sugarbeat's Books	52.	Seduced by a Book
53.	The Jeep Diva	54.	edysicecreamlover18@gmail.com
55.	Love Romance Passion	56.	A Bookish Affair
57.	dmcomfort@aol.com	58.	Sensual Sascha's Stories
59.	Moonwolf's Lair	60.	Mackenzie McKade
61.	Major Love~~~Major Romance	62.	Lisa Kumar
63.	Maggie Greene	64.	Romancing the Pen
65.	Jessica Scott	66.	Love Saves the World
67.	Leanne Tyler	68.	PamelaVMason
69.	The Book Bundle	70.	Shawntelle Madison
71.	To Read or Not To Read

Aloha to Kalaupapa - Father Damien's ministry on Molokai

Yesterday, my MIL and I made the "pilgrimage" to Kalaupapa National Historical Park.  From its website (at this link),

Enduring Spirit, Sacred Ground

The primary story being told at Kalaupapa National Historical Park is the forced isolation from 1866 until 1969 of people from Hawai'i afflicted with Hansen's disease (leprosy) to the remote northern Kalaupapa peninsula on the island of Molokai.

Father Damien, a Belgian priest, is best known for his work with Hansen's Patients.  On October 11, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI canonized Father Damien in the presence of King Albert II and Queen Paola of Belgium.  I had just moved to Hawaii and recall watching the local news filming the "pilgrimage" of Hawaiian Catholics for this ceremony.  

There are three ways to arrive on the remote peninsula of Kalaupapa:

- Hike down from "topside"

- Ride a mule down from "topside"

- Land on the short runway in a small chartered plane.

Can you guess which way we arrived?

We departed on a 10 seat prop plane from Honolulu.
The shortest distance from Oahu to Molokai is 26 miles.

The twenty five minute flight gave us
breathtaking views of Honolulu ...  

... and Hanauma Bay.

The Molokai coast gave rise to ....

... the tallest sea cliffs on the planet.

The "topside" flattened ... 

.... and the peninsula came into view.

The pilot (left) flew F15s in the Air Force.

The airport is the lifeline for the peninsula.

The pristine beaches are postcard perfect ... 

  

.... to showcase Hawaii's beauty!

   

The mule riders joined our tour.

We stopped at the only public "snack shack".

    

Kalaupapa looks like a ghost town.
There are only 11 patients in Kalaupapa.  
They are free to leave, but they have
chosen to remain in their "only" home.

Flowers always bloom in Hawaii.  

    

The "first settlement" to Kalaupapa ... 

... made from the readily available lava rock.

  

We visited St. Philomena Church where
Father Damien ministered to the residents.

During the 1940 tsunami, the head stones were
washed away.  They have been replaced without
names as the records were lost in time.

The peninsula gives visitors a view of
Mokapu and Okala  islands.

The cliffs circle the island ... 

   

... with endless photo opportunities.

We drove back to the airstrip and spotted the Coast Guard's lighthouse.  From Lighthouse Friends (at this link),

The long northern shore of Moloka`i is lined by sea cliffs that rise 1,700 feet above the ocean, making them the highest in the world. Extending out from roughly the center of the northern shore is the Kalaupapa Peninsula. Kalaupapa means 'flat leaf' and is an accurate description of the peninsula that was formed by a low volcano, which broke the surface of the water long after the rest of Moloka`i was formed. The peninsula is an isolated place, surrounded by the ocean on three sides and the sheer cliffs on the south.

Our return flight gave us more
panoramic views of Molokai.

Have you flown on a small plane? Visited a remote location? 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, May 26, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 27.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii

We landed safely back in Honolulu.