[Publius6961]

The USS Arizona Memorial's visitors center was designed to accommodate 750,000 people a year when it was built in 1980, but today it's jammed with crowds more than twice that big ...

I'd love to see a picture of those 1,500,000 people jammed onto the memorial...

[sinanju]

Is it just my cynical, calcified old imagination, or is the NPS budget up for review? I love the Gettysburg museum too, can my taxes be targeted towards it?

[NormsRevenge]

Arizona Memorial Museum and Visitor Center

Preserving the Memories

Simply stated, the original Museum and Visitor Center must be replaced.

Built in 1980, the USS Arizona Memorial Museum and Visitor Center has played an increasingly important role as the support facility to the USS Arizona Memorial and as a significant part of the visitor experience. The facility consists of an open-air museum and adjoining book store, twin motion-picture theaters for visitor orientation, curatorial and work spaces for National Park Service and Museum Association staff, and visitor food and rest areas. A primary component of the visitor center is the Remembrance Circle, a waterfront memorial to the service men, women and civilians not aboard the USS Arizona who were killed in the Pearl Harbor attack.

Over the years, the facility has experienced tremendous usage from larger-than-expected visitation.

This overwhelming success, unfortunately, has led to visitor overcrowding and insufficient exhibit space. Additionally, the facility suffers from severe deterioration.

We launched this capital improvement project to raise funds to tell the whole story of that fateful day, preserve the precious memories and artifacts of Pearl Harbor, as well as to expand the Museum and Visitor Center's capabilities.

[1rudeboy]

USS Arizona Memorial Center Slowly Sinking

Well, that's ironic.

[Nick Danger]

Watch some doofus in the purchasing department award the contract to fix it to a Japanese firm.

[bjs1779]

Here is the reason I can never say anything bad about Elvis Presley:

----------------------------------------------------

"Over more than 20 years there was much discussion and controversy as various monuments were planned to honor the men who died at the attack on Pearl Harbor. One of the most moving would become the memorial for the USS Arizona."

"In 1949 the Pacific War Memorial Commision was created. One of its goals became the building of a memorial in the waters above the wreckage of the USS Arizona. After nearly a decade the commision was finally able to begin construction of the memorial, realising their only problem was raising the money to build it."

"That's where the Colonel, Tom Parker, jumped on the bandwagon by offering the commision his help by staging an Elvis concert as a benefit for the project."

"Elvis' benefit would raise nearly $ 65.000 for the memorial building fund. All proceeds went directly to the project, without anything held for expenses. Even the Colonel and Elvis had to buy a ticket to get into the show !!".

"In 1962 the memorial was finished and was dedicated on Memorial Day. Since then, the USS Arizona Memorial has become one of the most visited sites in Hawaii."

"To Elvis it was always a source of quiet satisfaction and pride to know that he had a significant role in making the memorial possible."

http://www.elvisinhawaii.com/1961_memorial.htm

[Gene Eric]

Was there over 20 years ago. I don’t recall any admission fees, but that might be a good way to collect funds to rebuild.