Summer 2007 - Pacific Aviation Museum

NEWS
LETTER
Ni‘ihau Zero
BGen. Robin Olds
1922—2007
R
etired Brigadier General
Robin Olds passed
away on June 14th. Born
on Ford Island, he first
distinguished himself as
an ace in WWII flying the
P-38 Lightning and P-51
Mustang. He went on to
fly the F-4 Phantom II in
Vietnam before becoming
Commandant of the Air
Force Academy.
General Olds served on
the Museum’s Advisory
Board. Fellow board
member BGen. Ben
Cassiday USAF (Ret.)
shared his thoughts about
his best friend: “Robin was
a great fighter pilot and a
greater leader, in combat
and in peace. He was a free
thinker and speaker, both
of which, at times, got him
in trouble. He was an Air
Force officer unparalleled
in achievements. He was
honest and direct; never
pulled a punch in his life.
He was a wonderful friend
who will always be
remembered by those who
knew him, regardless of
their rank or station.”
T
The Rest of the Story
he Niihau Zero is one of the most unique
aviation exhibits in the world. Not only is
it one of the only Zeros remaining from the
attack on Pearl Harbor but its very existence
changed people’s lives for decades.
The story of the Niihau Zero actually
began 17 years before the attack on Pearl
Harbor. A 1924 report written by General
Billy Mitchell predicted that Pearl Harbor
would be attacked by air by the Japanese
Navy on a Sunday morning. Mitchell’s report
indicated that the remote and privately-owned
island of Niihau might be used as a staging
area for the predicted attack. Niihau owner,
Alymer Robinson, took it upon himself to take
precautions against the Japanese landing on
Niihau by plowing up thousands of linear
miles of dry lake bed, finishing his 8-year
project in July 1941.
On December 7, 1941 a Zero did crash
land on Niihau, changing the lives of those
who lived there and the lives of thousands
of American citizens of Japanese descent.
Thanks to the generous loan of the Niihau Zero
artifacts to the Museum by Keith and Bruce
Robinson, the little-known story of Niihau
filled with predictions, deception, intrigue
and consequences is being told. Visitors to the
museum will not only see the Niihau Zero but
also hear “the rest of the story.”
G Keith Robinson points out the direction of the Zero’s final
approach on Niihau.
E The Niihau Zero on display at the Pacific Aviation Museum.
The Niihau Zero story recently appeared in the July 2007 issue of Air and Space Magazine.
Sign-up online for our quarterly e-Newsletter @ www.pacificaviationmuseum.org Summer 2007
Loss of a National Treasure—Wally Schirra
T
Wally Schirra in attendence at the
Pacific Aviation Museum’s Grand
Opening, Dec. 7, 2006.
T
hose who knew astronaut
Wally Schirra can agree that
he served his family, his Navy,
NASA and the nation with
distinction. His recent death on
May 8th, 2007 is a grievous loss.
I have known Wally for
more than 50 years, first mostly
by reputation and then in the
late 50s when we were both
serving as test pilots at the
Naval Test Center, Patuxent
River, Maryland. With the need
to evaluate several new aircraft
entering the fleet at the time it
was an exciting period to be at
the Test Center. With Wally’s
inherent piloting skills, his
eagerness to operate at the edge
of the envelope, his delightful
sense of humor and propensity
to design practical jokes, it
was no surprise when he was
selected for the astronaut
program.
There he excelled and after
conquering space he also
excelled as an Advisory Board
member for the Pacific Aviation
Museum. He was an inspiration
for the Board of Directors,
staff, volunteers and for our
supporters. Neil Armstrong,
first man on the moon, correctly
concluded his obituary for
Wally at this year’s Golden
Eagle Gathering with the
statement, “He will be missed.”
All agree.
Admiral Ron Hays
Board Chairman
DOUGLAS SBD Dauntless Dive Bomber
Slow but Deadly
he Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber is
regarded as the most successful American
dive bomber in WWII. It was rugged and easy
to fly inspiring pilots’ loyalty. The Dauntless
and its brave crews are best remembered for
sinking all four Japanese carriers at the Battle
of Midway. The Museum’s SBD is hanging in
front of a mural depicting the sinking of the
Japanese carrier Akagi.
The International Midway Memorial
Foundation and Military History Tours came
to the museum for a special tour on their
way to Midway to commemorate the 65th
anniversary of the battle that was the turning
point of the war. Chairman of the Board,
Admiral Ron Hays, and President of the
Board, Clint Churchill traveled to Midway
to share in the day’s special events and tours
with the veterans who fought there. Several of
the Museum’s volunteers made the sojourn to
Midway as well.
The events of June 4-6th culminated with a
special evening lecture at the Museum. Alan
Lloyd’s well-attended and received lecture on
the miracles and mysteries surrounding the
Battle of Midway was the first in a series of
lectures that will be offered at the Museum.
The next evening presentation will be
September 19, 2007 discussing Ford Island’s
unique history from Hawaiian kings to
Hawaiian Airlines.
O STAY TUNED O
The Pacific
Aviation Museum
has been
recognized for
several awards
this year.
2007 Build Hawaii
Award of Merit was
awarded by the General
Contractors Association
of Hawaii to Kiewit for
Renovation/Remodeling of
Hangar 37.
2007 Historic
Hawaii FoundationHistoric Preservation
Honor Award for the
rehabilitative and adaptive
reuse of Hangar 37 on
historic Ford Island.
2007 Kukula Hale Award
recognizing excellence
in Hawaii’s commercial
real estate industry for
Architects of Hawaii Inc.’s
design renovation of
Hangar 37.
2006 Best Non-profit
Marketing Campaign
by the American
Marketing AssociationHawaii Chapter for the
museum’s Grand Opening
membership drive.
G Guest speaker Alan Lloyd presents an in-depth lecture on the
events that led to the Navy’s victory at Midway June 4-6, 1942.
E SBD Dauntless on display at the Pacific Aviation Museum.
Sign-up online for our quarterly e-Newsletter @ www.pacificaviationmuseum.org Summer 2007
The Board of Directors of the Pacific Aviation Museum Presents
T
he Pacific Aviation
Museum presents
Prophecy & Honor, the
riveting true account of
General Billy Mitchell’s
sensational court-martial for
daring to defy the military
establishment … with an
amazing Hawaii connection.
KHON-TV’s Joe Moore, as
General Mitchell, authored
and will star in the play at
the historic Hawaii Theatre.
Besides Moore, the
star–studded cast includes:
Richard Dreyfuss, George
Segal, Don Stroud, Terence
Knapp, Frank DeLima, and
in her debut appearance,
Teresa Moore. It will be
directed by Glenn Cannon.
Written by &
Starring
Opening Night Special—$100 Premium Package:
Includes: Prime Orchestra Seating & VIP
“Meet the Artists” Post-Show Cast Party
Tickets $25, $35 & $48
(plus $2 Hawaii Theater Restoration Fee)
Thursday—Saturday Sunday matinee
August 16-18, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. August 19, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.
at the historic
Hawaii Theater
Call the Hawaii Theater Center: 528-0506
or log-on to: hawaiitheater.com
Joe Moore as
Gen. Billy Mitchell
Family’s Generosity Benefits All
The Pacific Aviation
Museum would like
to thank the Building
Industry Labor
Association companies
who have joined
together in a significant
contribution for Phase 1
of the museum.
From Interm Executive Director
Richard Beckerman
M
r. Alan Subeck, whose career was in
the banking industry, had a deep and
passionate interest in history, particularly
WWII, the Pacific and Pearl Harbor. In more
than 23 years, he amassed over 400 books for
his personal library, which the Subeck Family
has generously donated to the Pacific Aviation
Museum in their husband and father’s
memory. This collection represents the largest
single gift of books for the Museum so far,
giving us a “starter seed” to build a significant
library in the future.
Meanwhile, our research staff will be using
these books to continue developing new
exhibits and gain deeper insights into the
stories we tell. We are very grateful to have
this donation.
Mahalo!
O Akamai Builders, Inc.
O Allied Builders System
O W. Y. Arakaki General
From L-R: Kerri Cline, Carter
Cline, Chad Cline, Jillian Cline,
Jackie Subeck, Jane Subeck
Hilton Foundation Challenge
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has approved a one-year challenge grant in the
amount of $300,000 to the Pacific Aviation Museum—Pearl Harbor, Phase 1 Campaign.
Every dollar contributed (not previously pledged) will be matched by the Hilton
Foundation up to $300,000. We have until June 1, 2008, to meet the challenge!
We are counting on our museum ohana from the Board of Directors to our donors and
volunteers, to carry us over the top. Thank You.
If you have items you would like to contribute to the museum or make a donation,
please contact: Lauren Avery, Director of Development, at 441-1013 or
laurena@pacificaviationmuseum.org. Mahalo!
Contractor, Inc.
O Coastal Construction
Co., Inc.
O Hidano Construction,
Inc.
O JW, Inc.
O Jay Kadowaki
O Robert M. Kaya
Builders, Inc.
O Albert C. Kobayashi,
Inc.
O H. Monma General
Contractors, Inc.
O Alan Shintani, Inc.
O J. Tamashiro, Inc.
O Tommy S. Toma
Sign-up online for our quarterly e-Newsletter @ www.pacificaviationmuseum.org Summer 2007
O CALENDAR O
AUGUST 16—19
Prophecy & Honor
at the Hawaii Theater
SEPTEMBER 15
USAF Thunderbirds
off Fort DeRussy Beach
Contact Hickam Public Affairs
Lt. Col. Tracey Saiki (808) 448-3223
SEPTEMBER 19
After-Hours Lecture at the museum
Ford Island History
O After-Hours Lecture by Peter Forman,
author of Wings of Paradise
OCTOBER 13 &14
USN Blue Angels at MCBH Kaneohe
www.mcbh.usmc/airshow
DECEMBER 6
Annual Dinner at the museum
DECEMBER 7
O Membership Day
O After-Hours Lecture by Dick Cole,
Gen Jimmy Doolittle’s co-pilot, and
Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, Jimmy Doolittle’s
granddaughter and author of
Calculated Risk.
VOLUNTEER
MEETING
Every 3rd Saturday
of the month!
COME JOIN OUR OHANA
Contact KT at: 441-1012
Cactus Air Force
Flight Simulators
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
HONOLULU, HI
PERMIT NO. 1633
Pacific Aviation Museum—Pearl Harbor
Hangar 37, Ford Island
319 Lexington Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96818
Enroll on our website
for our e-Newsletter @
www.pacificaviationmuseum.org
OPEN DAILY
9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
ON HISTORIC
FORD ISLAND,
PEARL HARBOR