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NEWS LETTER Ni‘ihau Zero

The Rest of the Story BGen. he Zero is one of the most unique precautions against the Japanese landing on 1922—2007 Taviation exhibits in the world. Not only is Niihau by plowing up thousands of linear it one of the only Zeros remaining from the miles of dry lake bed, finishing his 8-year etired Brigadier General but its very existence project in July 1941. RRobin Olds passed changed people’s lives for decades. On December 7, 1941 a Zero did crash away on June 14th. Born The story of the Niihau Zero actually land on Niihau, changing the lives of those on , he first began 17 years before the attack on Pearl who lived there and the lives of thousands distinguished himself as Harbor. A 1924 report written by General of American citizens of Japanese descent. an ace in WWII flying the Billy Mitchell predicted that Pearl Harbor Thanks to the generous loan of the Niihau Zero P-38 Lightning and P-51 would be attacked by air by the Japanese artifacts to the Museum by Keith and Bruce Mustang. He went on to Navy on a Sunday morning. Mitchell’s report Robinson, the little-known story of Niihau fly the F-4 Phantom II in indicated that the remote and privately-owned filled with predictions, deception, intrigue Vietnam before becoming island of Niihau might be used as a staging and consequences is being told. Visitors to the Commandant of the Air area for the predicted attack. Niihau owner, museum will not only see the Niihau Zero but Force Academy. Alymer Robinson, took it upon himself to take also hear “the rest of the story.” 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 unparalleled in achievements. He was honest and direct; never pulled a punch in his life. He was a wonderful friend who will always be G Keith Robinson points out the direction of the Zero’s final approach on Niihau. remembered by those who knew him, regardless of E The Niihau Zero on display at the Pacific Aviation Museum. their rank or station.” 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 The Pacific hose who knew astronaut to design practical jokes, it Aviation Museum TWally Schirra can agree that was no surprise when he was has been he served his family, his Navy, selected for the astronaut recognized for NASA and the nation with program. several awards distinction. His recent death on There he excelled and after this year. May 8th, 2007 is a grievous loss. conquering space he also I have known Wally for excelled as an Advisory Board 2007 Build more than 50 years, first mostly member for the Pacific Aviation Award of Merit was by reputation and then in the Museum. He was an inspiration awarded by the General late 50s when we were both for the Board of Directors, Contractors Association serving as test pilots at the staff, volunteers and for our of Hawaii to Kiewit for Naval Test Center, Patuxent supporters. Neil Armstrong, Renovation/Remodeling of River, Maryland. With the need first man on the moon, correctly Hangar 37. to evaluate several new aircraft concluded his obituary for entering the fleet at the time it Wally at this year’s Golden 2007 Historic was an exciting period to be at Eagle Gathering with the Hawaii Foundation- the Test Center. With Wally’s statement, “He will be missed.” Historic Preservation inherent piloting skills, his All agree. Honor Award for the Wally Schirra in attendence at the eagerness to operate at the edge rehabilitative and adaptive Pacific Aviation Museum’s Grand of the envelope, his delightful Admiral Ron Hays reuse of Hangar 37 on Opening, Dec. 7, 2006. sense of humor and propensity Board Chairman historic Ford Island.

2007 Kukula Hale Award DOUGLAS SBD Dauntless Dive recognizing excellence Slow but Deadly in Hawaii’s commercial real estate industry for he Douglas SBD Dauntless is Midway as well. Architects of Hawaii Inc.’s th Tregarded as the most successful American The events of June 4-6 culminated with a design renovation of dive bomber in WWII. It was rugged and easy special evening lecture at the Museum. Alan Hangar 37. to fly inspiring pilots’ loyalty. The Dauntless Lloyd’s well-attended and received lecture on and its brave crews are best remembered for the miracles and mysteries surrounding the sinking all four Japanese carriers at the Battle was the first in a series of 2006 Best Non-profit of Midway. The Museum’s SBD is hanging in lectures that will be offered at the Museum. Marketing Campaign front of a mural depicting the sinking of the The next evening presentation will be by the American Japanese carrier Akagi. September 19, 2007 discussing Ford Island’s Marketing Association- The International Midway Memorial unique history from Hawaiian kings to Hawaii Chapter for the Foundation and Military History Tours came Hawaiian Airlines. museum’s Grand Opening to the museum for a special tour on their membership drive. way to Midway to commemorate the 65th O STAY TUNED O 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

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

he Pacific Aviation Written by & TMuseum presents Opening Night Special—$100 Premium Package: Prophecy & Honor, the Includes: Prime Orchestra Seating & VIP Starring riveting true account of General Billy Mitchell’s “Meet the Artists” Post-Show Cast Party sensational court-martial for daring to defy the military establishment … with an Tickets $25, $35 & $48 amazing Hawaii connection. KHON-TV’s Joe Moore, as (plus $2 Hawaii Theater Restoration Fee) General Mitchell, authored Thursday—Saturday Sunday matinee and will star in the play at the historic Hawaii Theatre. August 16-18, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. August 19, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Besides Moore, the star–studded cast includes: Richard Dreyfuss, George at the historic Segal, Don Stroud, Terence Knapp, Frank DeLima, and Hawaii Theater in her debut appearance, Teresa Moore. It will be Call the Hawaii Theater Center: 528-0506 Joe Moore as directed by Glenn Cannon. or log-on to: hawaiitheater.com Gen. Billy Mitchell

Family’s Generosity Benefits All The Pacific Aviation From Interm Executive Director Museum would like Richard Beckerman to thank the Building Industry Labor r. Alan Subeck, whose career was in Association companies Mthe banking industry, had a deep and who have joined passionate interest in history, particularly together in a significant WWII, the Pacific and Pearl Harbor. In more contribution for Phase 1 than 23 years, he amassed over 400 books for of the museum. his personal library, which the Subeck Family has generously donated to the Pacific Aviation Mahalo! Museum in their husband and father’s memory. This collection represents the largest O Akamai Builders, Inc. single gift of books for the Museum so far, O Allied Builders System giving us a “starter seed” to build a significant O library in the future. W. Y. Arakaki General Meanwhile, our research staff will be using Contractor, Inc. these books to continue developing new O Coastal Construction exhibits and gain deeper insights into the From L-R: Kerri Cline, Carter Co., Inc. stories we tell. We are very grateful to have Cline, Chad Cline, Jillian Cline, O Hidano Construction, this donation. Jackie Subeck, Jane Subeck Inc. O JW, Inc. Hilton Foundation Challenge O Jay Kadowaki O The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has approved a one-year challenge grant in the Robert M. Kaya Builders, Inc. amount of $300,000 to the Pacific Aviation Museum—Pearl Harbor, Phase 1 Campaign. O Every dollar contributed (not previously pledged) will be matched by the Hilton Albert C. Kobayashi, Inc. Foundation up to $300,000. We have until June 1, 2008, to meet the challenge! O We are counting on our museum ohana from the Board of Directors to our donors and H. Monma General volunteers, to carry us over the top. Thank You. Contractors, Inc. O Alan Shintani, Inc. If you have items you would like to contribute to the museum or make a donation, O J. Tamashiro, Inc. please contact: Lauren Avery, Director of Development, at 441-1013 or O Tommy S. Toma [email protected]. Mahalo! 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 VOLUNTEER DECEMBER 7 MEETING O Membership Day Every 3rd Saturday O After-Hours Lecture by Dick Cole, Gen ’s co-pilot, and of the month! Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, Jimmy Doolittle’s COME JOIN OUR OHANA granddaughter and author of Cactus Air Force Calculated Risk. Contact KT at: 441-1012 Flight Simulators

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID , 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

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ON HISTORIC FORD ISLAND, PEARL HARBOR