NEWS LETTER

The 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.”

Sign-uponlineforourquarterlye-Newsletter@www.pacificaviationmuseum.orgSummer2007

The Niihau Zero story recently appeared in the July 2007 issue of Air and Space Magazine.

Ni‘ihau Zero

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.

Retired 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.”

BGen. Robin Olds1922—2007

DOUGLAS SBD DAUntLeSS Dive BOmBerSLOw BUt DeADLy

The 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

Loss of a National Treasure—Wally Schirra

Those 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 HaysBoard Chairman

Wally Schirra in attendence at the Pacific Aviation Museum’s Grand Opening, Dec. 7, 2006.

Sign-uponlineforourquarterlye-Newsletter@www.pacificaviationmuseum.orgSummer2007

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.

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 Foundation-

Historic 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 Association-Hawaii Chapter for the

museum’s Grand Opening membership drive.

Sign-uponlineforourquarterlye-Newsletter@www.pacificaviationmuseum.orgSummer2007

The Board of Directors of the Pacific Aviation Museum Presents

Opening Night Special—$100 Premium Package:Includes: Prime Orchestra Seating & VIP

“Meet the Artists” Post-Show Cast Party

Written by &Starring

Joe Moore asGen. Billy Mitchell

The 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.

Thursday—Saturday Sunday matinee August 16-18, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. August 19, 2007 at 2:00 p.m.

at the historicHawaii Theater

Tickets $25, $35 & $48(plus $2 Hawaii Theater Restoration Fee)

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.

Mahalo!

O Akamai Builders, Inc.O Allied Builders SystemO W. Y. Arakaki General Contractor, Inc.O Coastal Construction Co., Inc.O Hidano Construction, Inc.O JW, Inc.O Jay KadowakiO 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

Call the Hawaii Theater Center: 528-0506or log-on to: hawaiitheater.com

Family’s Generosity Benefits AllFrom Interm Executive DirectorRichard Beckerman

Mr. 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.

From L-R: Kerri Cline, Carter Cline, Chad Cline, Jillian Cline, Jackie Subeck, Jane Subeck

Hilton Foundation ChallengeThe 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!

Pacific Aviation Museum—Pearl HarborHangar 37, Ford Island319 Lexington Blvd.Honolulu, HI 96818

Enroll on our websitefor our e-Newsletter @www.pacificaviationmuseum.org

O CALENDAR OAUGUST 16—19

Prophecy & Honorat the Hawaii Theater

SEPTEMBER 15USAF Thunderbirds

off Fort DeRussy BeachContact Hickam Public Affairs

Lt. Col. Tracey Saiki (808) 448-3223

SEPTEMBER 19After-Hours Lecture at the museum

Ford Island HistoryO After-Hours Lecture by Peter Forman,

author of Wings of Paradise

OCTOBER 13 &14USN Blue Angels at MCBH Kaneohe

www.mcbh.usmc/airshow

DECEMBER 6Annual Dinner at the museum

DECEMBER 7O 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.CactusAirForceFlightSimulators

VOLUNTEERMEETING

Every 3rd Saturdayof the month!

COME JOIN OUR OHANAContact KT at: 441-1012

OPEN DAILY9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.

ON HISTORICFORD ISLAND,

PEARL HARBOR

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE PAID

HONOLULU, HIPERMIT NO. 1633