Mahalo to Naoma McNeal for sharing this Aloha Friday Photo with us.
Naoma’s photo is of Ford Island Control Tower at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum on Oahu. This air traffic control tower has been called “a silent witness to the December 7, 1941 attack an Pearl Harbor.” If only the tower could speak, what stories it could tell!
Naoma didn’t mention when the photo was taken, but it must have been quite a few years ago as the this historic tower has been restored to a much better condition over the years as you can see from the following photo we took while visiting the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum in 2018.
We chose Naoma’s photo to feature this particular Friday as today starts Memorial Day weekend. It seems a fitting photo to remember the service and sacrifices of those who have served our country.
Coincidentally, Ford Island Control Tower open for guided tours starting this Memorial Day, May 30, 2022. The brand new tour provides 360-degree views of Pearl Harbor aviation battlefield as well as the history of the tower itself. Separate tickets are required for the Top of the Tower Tour and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
If you will be visiting Oahu this weekend, check out some meaningful things to do to honor the intent of the day in our Oahu Memorial Day Events Guide.
Sheila Beal
2 comments
Thanks Sheila! It’s been over 10 years in the making!
The historical significance of the view is off the chart. You can see the entire Pearl Harbor battlefield, which looks surprisingly small from up there.
Pointing to things on a map, seems very abstract and academic when compared to standing 160 feet above the battlefield (where the attacking airplanes were) and looking down at the actual targets that were attacked and where so many lost their lives.
Most people are familiar with the story of the USS Arizona but most people aren’t as familiar with all of the other ships and locations that were attacked. Those are important and meaningful stories of courage and sacrifice as well. The tour guides point out all the key landmarks that were attacked, and provide details about the battle as it happened.
It’s a truly unique experience. For some it can be a very emotional experience as well.
It is very important to keep the memories of Pearl Harbor and our heroes