'Hawaii Remembers' Block Party

This past weekend HLTA proudly co-sponsored the ‘Hawaii Remembers’ Block Party with the Home of the Brave Museum, Brewseum, and the Pearl Harbor 75th Anniversary committee. This event was one of the many festivities tied to the commemoration of the 75 years since the attacks on Pearl Harbor, and was held to honor, remember, and salute our local and visiting Pearl Harbor Survivors, WWII Veterans, their families, and our military who were each in attendance that evening. Veterans of the Greatest Generation Foundation and California Chapter of Pearl Harbor Survivors were shuttled to the event by specially decorated buses as well as shuttles provided by E Noa Tours, and greeted with lei offered by The Orchid Lei company.

The Block Party took place on Sunday evening along Waimanu street at the Home of the Brave Museum, Brewseum, and Kaka‘ako Foundry Museum. Military and civilians alike relished the marvels of the Home of The Brave Museum, which carries the largest collection of WWII memorabilia in the Pacific. The artifacts are donated entirely by veterans or their families. Party goers sipped on craft beers at the Brewseum, which is a brewpub right next door to the Home of the Brave Museum that’s decked out with a model train set running on a track around the ceiling and WWII fighter planes hanging from the rafters. Guests relaxed in Robert “Bob” Bosley’s “man-cave” full of vintage automobiles, antiques, and other rare collectibles. What was once Diamond Head Sprinklers now holds Bob’s impressive collection of classic cars, including a 1939 Packard, a 1970’s Shelby GT500, a 1905’s Chevy, and a 1930’s Cord.

There was a stirring presentation given by Daniel Martinez in remembrance of the event that thrust Hawaii into the national spotlight as well as a tribute to all those that played a part in defending our nation during WWII. Mufi also offered mahalo remarks to The Greatest Generation and the special men and women who survived WWII who were there that evening. He was joined by two veterans who serve in our State legislature: U.S. Marine Veteran Rep. Bob McDermott and Rep. Ken Ito, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Throughout the evening, guests of the block party enjoyed food by Tin Hut BBQ and drinks brewed right in the Home of the Brave microbrewery. Later, Kapena wowed the crowd in the Brewpub, performing a variety of jams including a few of their original hits and several “oldies but goodies.” Mufi joined Kapena on stage in a rendition of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love and his brother Nephi’s local hit, Samoan Medley, while the crowd danced along.
​
There were scattered showers throughout the evening, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from attending the event. Mahalo to the Tomlinson family of the Home of the Brave Museum and Brewseum, Bob Bosley, E Noa Tours, The Orchid Lei Company, and all the volunteers for making this a fantastic evening for all.