Page 5 - MidWeek Kauai - Jan 26, 2022

Hangar 79 Restoration Off To A Flying Start
FROM PAGE 4
While repairs are taking place, Hangar 79 will have only a handful of aircraft within its walls —though, normally it houses up to 20 — freeing up space to pre- pare for the first phase of the restoration process, which kicked off Jan. 18. But, Lines notes, visitors can still see the planes, which will be displayed outside with informational placards, and can still be carefully guided within the hangar.
ity completely to the public and begin putting up some displays,” says Lines.
“Visitors will not miss seeing our historic aircrafts,” she assures.
Bengston are happy to note that “Raise the Roof” fund- raising efforts will do so much more than simply pro- vide ceiling repairs.
Phase 1 of repairs will shore up the original up- per monitors and skylights. These provide natural light and cooling effects, while keeping rain and critters out — all without using elec- tricity. Lines expects those upgrades to take six to eight weeks.
Aside from housing history’s iconic wartime planes, Hangar 79 has also entrenched itself as part of the community. For years, the spacious facility has been used for events, including Pearl Harbor Aviation Mu- seum’s annual For Love of Country Gala, showcasing movies on a big screen, and hosting public programs for local students.
Phase 2 will restore the set of 31 skylights on the mezza- nine level and fix the gutter flashings. Once those two steps are done, “we can start
“Kids can go through and
To donate to “Raise the Roof,” visit pearlharboravi- ationmuseum.org.
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum executive director Elissa Lines stands with Swamp Ghost’s nose art, created by Disney animators. The nose art design and the rights were gifted to the museum.
Come home to your
Lee’s Fin
Monday
A Navy Boeing F/A-18C Hornet Blue Angel
learn about aviation and history,” Lines says. “We typically ran open cockpit days each year, where we’d open the cockpits and kids could climb and get inside a fighter jet. People probably have memorable experienc- es inside that hangar. The intergenerational sharing that happens, parents and grandparents can share sto- ries that can tie back to some- thing connected to WWII or the conflict at the time. It’s a multipurpose communi- ty facility that allows us to bring people and families together.”
building exhibits inside,” Lines adds with excitement. And both Lines and
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JANUARY 26, 2022
KAUA‘I MIDWEEK 5