Local events mark military month

Advertiser Staff

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i and Hawai'i's business community presents the following Hawai'i Military Appreciation Month activities:

• Opening Ceremonies for Hawai'i Military Appreciation Month, with keynote speaker Adm. Thomas Fargo, commander of U.S. military forces in the Pacific; proclamations presented by Lt. Gov. James Aiona and Mayor Jeremy Harris; and music by the 25th Infantry Division (Light) Tropic Lightning Band. Friday, USS Missouri Memorial on Ford Island.

• 7th annual Twilight Tattoo, featuring bands from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Hawaii National Guard and more. 3 p.m. May 3, Ft. DeRussy; free.

• Military Family Sunday, free admission for military families. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. May 4, Bishop Museum. Admission for the general public is discounted, $3 per person or $10 per family of four.

• Combined Military Band Concert, featuring Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Hawai'i National Guard bands. 7 p.m. May 17, Hawai'i Theatre; free.

• Salute to the Military Lu'au, 5:30 p.m. May 19, Hale Koa Hotel. Call for reservations: 955-0555, ext. 546.

• Annual Military Recognition Luncheon, with keynote speaker Adm. Thomas Fargo and music by the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band. Noon May 21, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

The following events are also held in conjunction with Hawai'i Military Appreciation Month and open to the public:

• Honolulu Academy of Arts, free admission to military personnel and their families. May 3, 7 and 17.

• 9th annual Capital Day Down Capitol Way 2003, featuring open houses and tours of museums and historic sites, including the Hawai'i State Art Museum, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu Hale, 'Iolani Palace and Washington Place. Beginning 9 a.m. at Hono-lulu Hale and ending 3:30 p.m. at the State Senate Chambers May 17; free. Also, free trolley service will be provided to each site 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• 7th annual Marine Aircraft Group Two Four Sprint Triathlon, with a 500-meter swim, 11.1-mile bike ride and 3.5-mile run. Check in at 5:30 a.m. May 17, Marine Corps Base Hawai'i. For more information: 257-7706.

• U.S. Army Museum of Hawai'i's Living History Day, featuring military weapons, uniforms, vehicles and more dating to the Civil War. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. May 17, Ft. DeRussy; free.

For more information on Hawai'i Military Appreciation Month events, call 545-4300.

Correction: Admission to Bishop Museum is free for military families on May 4, Military Family Sunday. Admission for the general public is discounted that day, $3 per person or $10 per family of four. A previous version of this story contained incorrect information.