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Yahoo
a day ago
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Learn about the Korean War in all new photo exhibit in Honolulu
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Learn all about an important historical event in a brand new exhibit opening soon. The 75th Korean War Documentary Photo Exhibit will open June 10 at the City Hall Lane Gallery in Honolulu. U.S. Army Pacific invites you to 250th birthday celebration This exhibit showcases a collection of rare and historic photographs documenting the Korean War, often remembered as 'The Forgotten War,' now properly showcased for its 75th anniversary. Through images captured by frontline photographers, war correspondents and military personnel, visitors will gain a glimpse into the struggles soldiers and civilians faced during the conflict. 'This exhibit is not just a commemoration of history—it's a tribute to the courage, unity, and humanity that transcended the battlefield,' said Bong-Yong Park, president of PUAC Hawaii Chapter. 'We hope each photo serves as a moment of reflection and recognition for all who served and those still impacted by the war's legacy.' Guests can expect the exhibit to include a special tribute wall honoring local war veterans, the USS Missouri (BB-63) Battleship and never-before-seen images from the archives.A commemoration ceremony will also be held on June 17 at 2 p.m., featuring remarks from dignitaries, veteran guests, and community leaders. The exhibit runs from June 10 through June 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
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Pearl Harbor Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the End of WWII from Aug. 30-Sept 2 Announced; Made possible by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation
HONOLULU, Hawaii, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a powerful tribute to the heroes of America's Greatest Generation, the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum proudly announce a series of commemoration events honoring the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II from August 30 – September 2. The multi-day commemoration is made possible by the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. "We are honored to remember the heroes of World War II as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII," said Linda Hope, Chair and CEO of the Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation. "We are proud to announce — on my father Bob Hope's birthday — this tribute to the valor and sacrifice of those who served in our military during World War II, as well as to the everyday Americans on the home front who also sacrificed to help make victory possible." On September 2, 1945, with the U.S. fleet and air forces standing by, thousands gathered on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay to witness the signing of the Instrument of Surrender that brought World War II to an end. Eighty years later, on September 2, 2025, we will honor that historic day, welcoming USS Missouri veterans who were present for the ceremony that shaped a more peaceful future. "Nowhere else in the world can you stand on the very deck where World War II officially ended. The Battleship Missouri Memorial offers a powerful, tangible connection to history, one that leaves a lasting impression on all who visit," said Michael Carr, President and CEO of the Battleship Missouri Memorial. "It is our duty and mission to honor the stories held aboard this ship and preserve her place in history." The Battleship Missouri Memorial and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum are joining efforts to commemorate this historic occasion. The 80th Commemoration will begin on August 30th with the Commemoration Concert at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, a public tribute to veterans and service members, featuring Gary Sinise and The Lt Dan Band and culminate on September 2nd with the official Commemoration Ceremony on the pier adjacent to the Surrender Deck of the Battleship Missouri. Other public events during the 4-day commemoration include a large-scale RC air show, movie premieres, family activities and the official Commemoration Gala. "It is our honor to engage the public in several days of reflection and tribute. From the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack that cast America into WWII, to the solemn event on the Battleship Missouri that ended it, the commemoration experience will remind us of the resilience of our greatest generation and our collective hope for peace," said Janeen Woellhof, Interim Executive Director of Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, America's WWII aviation battlefield. For more information on the full schedule of events and how to participate, please visit or Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is located on Historic Ford Island, where bombs fell during the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Walk the Pearl Harbor battlefield where the attack began, enter the bullet-scarred hangars, and see the control tower and aircraft of the battle, including a Japanese Zero and the B-17 Swamp Ghost. Hear the stories of World War II heroes and their response to the attack that changed our nation and world. Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, open daily, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that depends on membership, volunteers, and donations for support. For more information, call (808) 441-1000 or visit Battleship Missouri Memorial Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 10-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri's unique place in history. Located a ship's length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the "day of infamy" and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan's formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily. For information or reservations, call (808) 455-1600 or visit Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation ( supports organizations that bring "HOPE" to those in need and those who served to protect our nation. The Foundation also supports charitable organizations that preserve and honor the legacy of Bob Hope as an American entertainer, humanitarian, patriot, sportsman and supporter of military personnel and their families. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vets, community honor fallen service members
RELATED PHOTO GALLERY Veterans and community members gathered across the islands Monday to remember fallen service members in Memorial Day commemoration events. At the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl, where about 61, 000 people are buried, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blan giardi told an audience of veterans, current service members, military families and diplomats that the cemetery is 'a place where history lives in silence and each grave marker tells a story.' Blangiardi said people come to Hawaii from across the world to see sites like Punchbowl, the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri, telling the crowd, 'Here on Oahu we are privileged to be surrounded by historic sites like this one, some of the most important in our nation's history, ' but that 'many of us pass by them every single day without truly seeing them. Our promise today is to ensure the significance of these historic places and the souls they commemorate are never forgotten, to ensure that future generations understand the cost of freedom and the weight of sacrifice.' This year the U.S. military is marking the 250th anniversaries of the founding of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps—their roots go back to the American Revolution and predate the nation itself. Adm. Samuel Paparo, who leads all U.S. troops across the Pacific from Camp Smith, told the crowd, 'If we reflect on those 250 years, that represents 1.3 million Americans who gave the ultimate sacrifice in battle, and another 1.5 million deaths of people training in dangerous environments to do the same while still wearing the uniform.' Paparo read off the names of several service members with ties to Hawaii who died overseas in combat and those who lost their lives in training accidents, and noted family members who were in attendance at the ceremony at Punchbowl. Among the names were Cpl. Toby Olson, a Mililani High School graduate who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2007 ; Sgt. Eugene Williams, who lost his life to a suicide bomber near the Iraqi city of Najaf in 2003 at the age of 24 serving with the Schofield Barracks-based 25th Infantry Division ; and Marine Cpl. Jonathan Faircloth, who died in a 2011 helicopter crash in Kaneohe Bay at age 22. 'The greatest memorial we can build is not made of granite ; it's a nation that remains worthy of their value, ' Paparo said. 'Let us build it.' Blangiardi said, 'America's gold star families remind us the fallen heroes we are gathered to remember were sons and daughters, parents, siblings, husbands and wives. In life the brave men and women who died protecting our country and our freedom were someone's entire world.' The U.S. military has been sending troops to conflict zones continuously since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In 2024 eight Hawaii National Guard soldiers deployed to West Africa in support of Operation Juniper Shield, a long-running counterterrorism mission in the region, to support base defense operations. As recently as August, seven American troops were injured in Iraq during a raid in which they and Iraqi forces killed 15 members of the Islamic State militant group. Last week Adm. James Kilby, the Navy's acting chief of naval operations, said the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group launched the 'largest airstrike in the history of the world ' from an aircraft carrier on militants in Somalia in February. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has been ramping up defense spending in Hawaii and the Pacific as tensions have escalated between China and its neighbors, leading to clashes in the South China Sea, a critical waterway that more than a third of global trade travels through. Beijing has claimed the entire waterway as its exclusive sovereign territory over the objections of neighboring countries. Chinese forces have built bases on disputed islands and reefs and attacked fishermen and other maritime workers, especially in waters claimed by the Philippines. Marines and soldiers from Hawaii-based units are in the Philippines training with Filipino troops as tensions have continue to mount. During the recently completed Exercise Balikatan, members of the Kaneohe-based 3rd Littoral Regiment brought new anti-ship missiles for the first time to the Philippines' Batanes islands just south of Taiwan.
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hawaii honors kamikaze pilot 80 years later
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (KHON2) — Friday marked 80 years since a powerful moment of humanity occurred during World War II, when a Japanese Kamikaze pilot was given a formal burial at sea. To commemorate the event, officials held a ceremony, where they gathered to remember a moment of unexpected compassion in the chaos of war on the decks of the USS Missouri. Over 360 firearms surrendered at DLE amnesty event 'But the kamikaze attack happened on April 11th, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa. A long ways away from here,' said Michael Carr, Battleship Missouri president and CEO. 'There was really no damage done to the ship. But the pilot's body flipped onto the ship and was recovered.' Most of the younger sailors wanted to discard the Japanese pilot's body overboard and viewed him only as the enemy.'Instead, Captain Callahan determined that that young man should be given a proper sailor's burial,' Carr said. 'Captain Callahan did what I think we would all agree would be the proper Christian thing to do, to honor somebody as we would hope that they would honor us.' The Kamikaze pilot was wrapped in a Japanese flag that was sewn from a white bed sheet and red signal flag and was then laid to rest at sea with full honors. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Officials and loved ones of the captain on board at the time say that–despite the fact that the attack occurred 80 years ago–the lessons of its aftermath still ring true. 'This event could have deepened the divide between our nations. Instead, it became a defining moment of humanity and honor. Today, as we gather here… once enemies, now allies, we are reminded of how far we have come,' said Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. 'I think the message is that we need to be careful in our relations with other people, that it's so important to to build a relationship, even in times of stress to have the foresight to confer dignity on other people when perhaps it wasn't the most popular decision,' said Capt. Callaghan's grandson, Carey Callaghan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
80th anniversary of kamikaze attack on USS Missouri emphasizes reconciliation
KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Carey Callaghan, grandson of the USS Missouri's Capt. William Callaghan, delivers a keynote address to attendees at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilot's burial at sea. 1 /6 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Carey Callaghan, grandson of the USS Missouri's Capt. William Callaghan, delivers a keynote address to attendees at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilot's burial at sea. U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES Sailors prepare a burial at sea for the remains of a Japanese pilot whose plane hit the USS Missouri on April 11, 1945. 2 /6 U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES Sailors prepare a burial at sea for the remains of a Japanese pilot whose plane hit the USS Missouri on April 11, 1945. Courtesy U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command The USS Missouri at the moment it was about to be hit by a Japanese A6M Zero Kamikaze while operating off Okinawa on April 11, 1945. The plane hit the ship's side below the main deck, causing minor damage and no casualties aboard the battleship. A 40mm quad gun mount's crew is in action in the lower foreground. 3 /6 Courtesy U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command The USS Missouri at the moment it was about to be hit by a Japanese A6M Zero Kamikaze while operating off Okinawa on April 11, 1945. The plane hit the ship's side below the main deck, causing minor damage and no casualties aboard the battleship. A 40mm quad gun mount's crew is in action in the lower foreground. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Japan's Hawaii Consul General Yoshinori Kodama pays his respects at a ceremony aboard the USS Missoui on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilot's burial at sea. 4 /6 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Japan's Hawaii Consul General Yoshinori Kodama pays his respects at a ceremony aboard the USS Missoui on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilot's burial at sea. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Marines give a seven gun salute at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the USS Missouri and the pilot's burial at sea. 5 /6 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Marines give a seven gun salute at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the USS Missouri and the pilot's burial at sea. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Japan Coast Guard Cmdr. Yuichi Kajiya and his son drop flower pedals off the side of the USS Missoui during a ceremony Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilot's burial at sea. 6 /6 KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Japan Coast Guard Cmdr. Yuichi Kajiya and his son drop flower pedals off the side of the USS Missoui during a ceremony Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilot's burial at sea. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Carey Callaghan, grandson of the USS Missouri's Capt. William Callaghan, delivers a keynote address to attendees at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilot's burial at sea. U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES Sailors prepare a burial at sea for the remains of a Japanese pilot whose plane hit the USS Missouri on April 11, 1945. Courtesy U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command The USS Missouri at the moment it was about to be hit by a Japanese A6M Zero Kamikaze while operating off Okinawa on April 11, 1945. The plane hit the ship's side below the main deck, causing minor damage and no casualties aboard the battleship. A 40mm quad gun mount's crew is in action in the lower foreground. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Japan's Hawaii Consul General Yoshinori Kodama pays his respects at a ceremony aboard the USS Missoui on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilot's burial at sea. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Marines give a seven gun salute at a ceremony on Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the USS Missouri and the pilot's burial at sea. KEVIN KNODELL / KKNODELL @ Japan Coast Guard Cmdr. Yuichi Kajiya and his son drop flower pedals off the side of the USS Missoui during a ceremony Friday honoring the 80th anniversary of the kamikaze attack on the ship and the pilot's burial at sea. On April 11, 1945, Flight Petty Officer 2nd Class Setsuo Ishino, age 19, took off from Kanoya Air Base in Japan's Kago shima prefecture. He was piloting a Zero fighter carrying a 500-kilogram bomb with the mission of carrying out a kamikaze attack on American forces. Ultimately, his plane struck the USS Missouri, plowing into its starboard side a little below the level of the main deck. Part of the plane was thrown onto the main deck in the crash while the rest of the wreckage fell into the water. Part of the plane, and Ishino's body, were thrown onto the Missouri's main deck. The attack took place in the last stretch of a bitter war between America and Japan, and hatred between the two sides ran deep. But the Missouri's commander, then Capt. William Callaghan, ordered that the young Japanese pilot be given a proper burial at sea in accordance with naval tradition. American sailors sewed a Japanese flag and draped Ishino's remains with it as they committed him to the deep. On Friday the USS Missouri Memorial Association marked the 80th anniversary of the event with a ceremony on the ship that brought Callaghan's grandchildren and great-grandchildren to Hawaii along with dignitaries from Japan. Mike Carr, president and CEO of the Missouri Memorial Association, said that after the burial 'the crew of the USS Missouri returned to their stations, the battle still raging around them, but all carried with them in the memory of that day, a reminder that even in war there can be moments of grace, and that honor is not bound by the lines drawn between nations.' Months after the attack, Japanese Emperor Hirohito would sign Japan's surrender on the deck of that very ship. Over time, word of Callaghan's show of respect to a fallen kamikaze pilot would spread, helping the two countries overcome hatred as they sought peace and worked to rebuild. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said, 'Today, as we gather here, once enemies, now allies, we are reminded of how far we have come. This Moment of Remembrance stands as a testament to the power of reconciliation and the strength of peace. With the devastation of that day, Captain William Callaghan made an extraordinary decision, one that would echo through history.' 'Captain Callahan chose to respond not with hatred, but with honor and respect, ' Blangiardi added. 'This decision stands as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest moments of conflict, our shared humanity remains. That act of compassion continues to teach us that dignity and respect are not weakened by war ; they are strengthened through understanding and forgiveness.' In a keynote delivered by Callaghan's grandson Carey Callaghan, he said of his grandfather that 'his decision—controversial at the time, and maybe even today—was a humble one rooted in empathy, a sense of dignity and a vision of the future that was a part of who he was every day. … If this act of kindness and humanity is his enduring legacy, it is a good one.' In September, dignitaries will again gather on the deck of the 'Mighty Mo ' to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which is—to date—still the most destructive conflict in human history. That anniversary approaches at a time where the world is again steeped in conflict, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East and tensions once again boiling in the Pacific—this time between America and its allies on one side and China on the other. Hiroyuji Nuruki, mayor of the Japanese city of Minami kyushu in Kagoshima prefecture, said that 'to build a peaceful world, we must examine, reflect on and share the history of past wars from multiple perspectives. We must also ensure that inhumane tragedies, like the kamikaze attack, never occur again by spreading this message worldwide.'
