In May 2009, We will celebrate our 24th Annual Hawaii Military Appreciation Month to honor our troops and their families. Please join us as we celebrate the military’s presence in the islands and extend our deepest appreciation for its vital contributions to the social, cultural, and economic well-being of our Ohana, along with a heartfelt Mahalo for protecting our nation, Islands and families.
The Chamber's 24th Annual Recognition Luncheon
(Click the photo to view brief 10 min video of the luncheon)
The Military Thanks The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii
(Click the photo to view brief 3 min video)
Videos produced and edited by Chamber member CATCHY GRAPHICS. Call 808-395-4630 or visit www.catchygraphics.com
2009 Events
April 30th 24th Annual Hawaii Military Appreciation Month Opening Ceremony
Battleship Missouri
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
May 2nd Bishop Museum Salutes The Military Day
Bishop Museum
9:00 am – 5:00 pm
May 16th Living History Day
Hawaii Army Museum at Fort DeRussy
10:00 am -3:00pm
May 16th Combined Military Band Concert
Hawaii Theatre
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
May 21st 24th Annual Hawaii Military Recognition Luncheon
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
June 6th USO hosts Military Day at the Honolulu Zoo
Honolulu Zoo
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Attention all Military Members and Families:
The Contemporary Museum launches a new free entry program for retired, active duty and reserve military members and their families with ID, just in time for Military Appreciation Month. Just present your Military ID and gain free entry to the museum. Come as often as you like during normal museum hours - Tues-Sat 10 am-4 pm and Sunday noon -4 pm.
Become an event sponsor, offer special programs for the military, or make a donation in support of the 2008 HMAM festivities. Contact Charlie Ota at charles@cochawaii.orgor call 545-4300, X320 for details.
The U.S. military first entered Hawaiian waters in the early 1800s and quickly established an enduring relationship with the Kingdom of Hawaii. This relationship has matured over the years, integrating the military community into Hawaii’s ohana and influencing every facet of our society.
When 14,000 of Hawaii’s military troops were deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, the people of the state felt the emotional impact of having family, friends, co-workers and employees leave our Ohana, once again put in harm’s way to fight for freedom and democracy. We did so many times in the 1900s during the war years of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Many in the business community also felt the economic impact of having so many of our servicemen and women deploy for extended periods of up to 18 months. The military plays a vital part of Hawaii’s economic growth, with defense expenditures topping $5.6 billion in 2005.
Most people are unaware that Hawaii has the unique distinction of being the home of the largest combatant command in the world, the U.S. Pacific Command based at Camp H.M. Smith. Hawaii is also home to the Pacific headquarters for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, with combat ready forces based at Schofield Barracks, Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hickam AFB, and Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The U.S. command and control of peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and warfighting operations for the entire Pacific region is based in Hawaii.
Hawaii’s military population totals about 40,000 active, reserve, and national guard troops, along with 18,000 civilians working for the military and more than 55,000 military family members. There are over 120,000 retired military and veterans residing in Hawaii.
Every one of these members are part of Hawaii’s Ohana, paying state and county taxes on their expenditures. Those who are state residents or are employed in Hawaii pay income taxes on their earnings.
Being a part of Hawaii’s Ohana, it is important that Hawaii’s business community and residents recognize the military’s essential role in creating stability in the Asia Pacific, as well as the dedication and personal sacrifices made daily by the troops to protect our grateful state and Nation.
It is for these reasons that the Chamber and its Military Affairs Council have paid tribute to the military by conducting Hawaii Military Appreciation Month in May, every year, since 1985. We invite everyone to join with us in honoring and thanking our troops and to build on the strong bond between the military and Hawaii’s business sector and residents.
