Everett Hyland, 83, salutes during a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial Museum in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Water from the harbor is weakening the building’s underpinnings, museum officials say.
Posted on 12/07/2006 5:23:45 PM PST by Libloather
Unstable terrain, crowds threaten Pearl Harbor museum
Fundraising drive under way to replace deteriorating facility
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Lisa Hoffman
SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE
Everett Hyland, 83, salutes during a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial Museum in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Water from the harbor is weakening the building’s underpinnings, museum officials say.
At Pearl Harbor, the memorial that stands vigil over the site of the history-changing Japanese attack is on its last legs.
When the 65th anniversary of the surprise 1941 siege arrives Thursday, it will find the USS Arizona Memorial Museum and visitors center in Hawaii deteriorating so fast that it could be gone in two years.
Built on landfill near the final underwater resting place of the battleship Arizona and the 1,177 souls who went down with it, the center has sunk as much as 30 inches into the soil.
Engineers have jacked up the facility four times to no lasting success. As a result, water seeping in from the harbor is threatening the concrete underpinnings of the buildings.
"It’s a real problem," said George Sullivan, board chairman of the Arizona Memorial Museum Association.
It’s not the only problem. The site often is swamped with 4,500 visitors a day — more than double the number it was designed to accommodate. On the busiest days, more than 1,500 people are turned away.
In the museum, priceless historical artifacts are at risk because the building’s open-air design doesn’t allow for the atmospheric control necessary to protect them from the elements.
As a result, Sullivan said, plans for a new, larger facility are moving full speed ahead, as a fundraising campaign edges closer to its $50 million goal.
If the association can raise $28 million in cash, groundbreaking can occur by next year’s 66 th anniversary of the attack, which killed 2,390 U.S. military service members and civilians.
The latest tallies show that another $7 million will accomplish that goal, Sullivan said.
Memorial boosters say the grassroots support has been heartwarming. Senior citizens on fixed incomes have been enthusiastic donors, said Donna Bebber, development director for the Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund.
If enough money comes in, plans for what would be renamed the Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum and Visitor Center include a 5-acre expansion and a museum that will double in size. A research and education center would be added, as would an outdoor amphitheatre and expanded bookstore, Sullivan said.
If things proceed smoothly, the new complex could open in 2009.
To contribute to the fund drive, call 1-866-332-1941; write Pearl Harbor Memorial Fund, 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818; or visit www.pearlharbormemorial.com.
USS Arizona Memorial
Location / Visiting the Park
The Memorial is located about 2 miles west of the Honolulu Airport in Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu. The Memorial is managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and consists of a shoreside visitor center (VC), where the tours begin, and the Memorial located in Pearl Harbor. The Memorial is accessible only by the NPS tour from the visitor center.
The USS Arizona Memorial (USAR) is built over the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona, the final resting place for many of the 1,177 crewmen killed on December 7, 1941 when their ship was bombed by the Japanese Naval Forces. This loss of life represents over half of the Americans killed on this "Day of Infamy", the worst naval disaster in American History.
The VC is open 7:30 am to 5:00 pm, seven days a week except New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tours begin about every 15 minutes from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. The tour programs are free and new, souvenir tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each person must obtain their own ticket. During busy summer and winter holiday periods, it is recommended that you arrive at the VC before 12 noon. There are no age or size restrictions, but children under 5 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Appropriate dress is required, no swimwear or bare feet.
The tour program consists of a brief introduction by a park ranger, Pearl Harbor survivor, or volunteer. A 23 minute film on the history of the Pearl Harbor attack follows. After viewing the film, visitors board a Navy operated launch for the Memorial. The entire program takes 75 minutes. Wait times for the tour may exceed 2 hours.
While waiting for your tour to begin, there is an excellent audio tour narrated by Academy Award winner Ernest Borgnine available. The audio tour will guide you through the Visitor Center, museum exhibits, and backlawn exhibits. The audio tour will provide you with interpretive information on the shuttle boats and on the Memorial. Visit the bookstore where a wide range of materials on the Pearl Harbor attack may be purchased.
See a map of the Pearl Harbor area (provided by Google)
For more information write: National Park Service, USS Arizona Memorial, No. 1 Arizona Memorial Place, Honolulu, Hawaii 96818. You may also call (808) 422-0561 for a recorded message or (808) 422-2771 for additional information from a NPS employee.
Security Measures
Due to the terrorist attacks on the United States and the location of the USS Arizona Memorial on an active military base, strict security measures are currently being enforced. No purses, handbags, fanny packs, backpacks, camera bags, diaper bags, luggage or other items that offer concealment are allowed in the visitor center or on the memorial. Strollers with pockets and compartments must be empty before being allowed in the visitor center. Personal cameras are allowed. Baggage storage is available for a nominal fee. Valuables should not be left in parked vehicles in the parking lots.
The USS Arizona Memorial visitor center's operating hours are 7:30 am to 5:00 pm seven days a week. The park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. The first tour begins at 8:00 am and the last tour begins at 3:00 pm. The tour lasts approximately 75 minutes and includes a film and Navy boat to the memorial. Tou! rs are free, first come, first serve and wait times for tours may exceed two hours. Visitors should plan to arrive at the visitor center no later than 12:00 pm during busy times of the year. Media is also under strict security restrictions and must contact Brad Baker at (909) 422-2771, ext. 123 for film permit applications at least 7 days in advance of their proposed visit to the park. For further information, please call (808) 422-0561.
http://www.arizonamemorial.org/locations/arizona-memorial-location.html
I thought they just built a new one.
A donation to the USS Arizona Pearl Harbor Museum Fund in my name.
"As a result, Sullivan said, plans for a new, larger facility are moving full speed ahead, as a fundraising campaign edges closer to its $50 million goal."
There is something seriously wrong in this country when idiotic spending boondoggles such as $15 BILLION for AIDS in Africa can go through with ease but repairing a site such as the Arizona Memorial is starved for funds.
Good picture of the Memorial. The story appears to be about the shore-side visitors center.
Or are they talking about the building where you see the movie and hear from survivors?
I urge anyone who hasn't seen this to make time for it if you're ever on Oahu. The list of survivors is growing smaller every passing day and to see the movie and hear from them is awesome but it will bring tears to your eyes.
Baggage storage is available for a nominal fee.
Perhaps the Park Service deserves nominal job-cuts for screwing taxpayers twice. Once each April, and again when you visit them.
Valuables should not be left in parked vehicles in the parking lots.
*cough* Duh.
We can't fund this Pearl Harbor Museum. We have to build a bridge to nowhere in Alaska, don't you know.
65th anniversary bump.
FIX IT,,,bump
Awesome pic, sends shivers down my spine!
Thanks.
Interesting mis-choice of words for a surprise two hour hit and run attack.
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