Korean War museum given land on Big Isle

By Hugh Clark
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — After unsuccessful attempts to find a home for the National Korean War Museum on the Mainland or on O'ahu, organizers this week were given 14 acres at the 'Aina Le'a project near Waikoloa in South Kohala for the museum. The site is being donated by John Baldwin, formerly of Maui, who is developing the 3,000-acre commercial, golf and housing project.

The nonprofit museum will need a special use permit from the Hawai'i County Planning Commission to be built in an agricultural zone.

Earlier efforts to put the museum on O'ahu failed because of land costs, said museum director Kyle Kopitke. The group also failed to generate support for state financing during the past legislative session.

Several speakers at Tuesday's deed-signing ceremony said they were initially skeptical of the project but now believe it may succeed because of Hawai'i's proximity to South Korea, a potential source for corporate and government support to pay for the $6 million museum, to be built in stages.

The concept is to build a series of 38 small buildings — each 15 feet by 20 feet — that will focus on various elements of the war. The number of buildings refers to the 38th parallel that divides North and South Korea. Initially, one will center on Gen. Douglas MacArthur, another on the Battle of Inchon and the third on prisoners of war.

"This may take awhile, but it will be done. Today is a dream come true," said Francis Pacheco of Hilo, a vice commander of the local Korean War Veterans chapter and board member of the National Korean War Museum.

The first use of the site is expected Aug. 30-Sept. 1 when the Big Island will be the host of the state's 50th anniversary reunion of Korean War veterans.