Boat Dock at USS Arizona Memorial to Undergo More Than $2 Million in Repairs

REPORT FROM US SENATOR DANIEL INOUYE’S OFFICE – WASHINTON, DC—The only boat dock at the USS Arizona Memorial will receive a $2,012,500 upgrade following an award from the Federal Transit Administration, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Akaka, U.S. Representative Mazie K. Hirono and U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa announced today.

The project was selected on a competitive basis through the FY 2011/2012 Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program.

The USS Arizona is the final resting place for many of the ship’s 1,177 crewmen who were killed when Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

The 184-foot-long Memorial structure spans the mid-portion of the sunken battleship and consists of three main sections: the entry room; the assembly room, a central area designed for ceremonies and general observation; and the shrine room, where the names of those killed on the Arizona are engraved on the marble wall, according to the National Park Service.

“The USS Arizona Memorial is a somber reminder of the devastating start of World War II and the thousands of lives lost in the aftermath.  It is an important educational tool, and each year more than a million visitors and residents make their way to the middle of Pearl Harbor to pay their respects and learn about the Arizona’s tragic history.  Many years ago, in the Territorial Legislature, I helped coordinate the efforts to establish this memorial and I am very pleased that we continue to recognize its importance and invest in its upkeep,” said Senator Inouye.

“This federal award will help maintain safe access to the USS Arizona Memorial for the millions of visitors who come to honor those who lost their lives at that solemn site.  Mahalo to the Federal Transit Administration for this investment which will allow current and future generations remember the sacrifices made that day,” said Senator Akaka.

“The USS Arizona Memorial serves as a powerful symbol of our country’s dedication to honoring the supreme sacrifices made on December 7, 1941.  Improvements to the historic landmark will help ensure that this legacy of courage and heroism lives on for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Hirono. “Improving the only dock that leads into the USS Arizona Memorial will mean our veterans, as well as the more than one million visitors who tour the facility each year, will have even safer passage to this hallowed monument.”

“Every year, the USS Arizona Memorial helps more than a million visitors pay their respects to those who lost their lives on the historic battleship, and honor those who survived the Pearl Harbor attacks. This funding will help pay for important improvements at our state’s most visited tourist destination to ensure our visitors have a safe and memorable experience,” said Congresswoman Hanabusa.

For more information, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/valr/historyculture/index.htm

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