Page 12 - MidWeek - Jan 19, 2022

12 MIDWEEK JANUARY 19, 2022

Now that the fundraising campaign “Raise the Roof” is off and soaring, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and its staffers can eagerly look forward to the day when Hangar 79 is restored to its former glory.
angar 79 on the grounds of Pearl Harbor Avia- tion Museum has stood
still functioning and run the length of the building, and the interior crane system remains operational, too. History literally lives within the walls of Hangar 79, and those who take a closer look at some of the concrete walls and wooden posts might notice sailors’ nota- tions on when repairs were made, local numbers for ambulances and emergency personnel, and more.
rently running a fundraising cam- paign to “Raise the Roof” for Han- gar 79, which is in need of repairs.
the test of time. Once a WWII maintenance and engine repair facility, it continues to rehabil- itate planes as home to the The Shealy Restoration Shop, which refurbishes authentic aircraft from past wars, including the legendary B-17E Swamp Ghost (see story on page 13).
“Just standing in front of Hangar 79 and its immensity is overwhelming,” says executive director Elissa Lines. “You can understand why from a historic perspective we need to take care of it. It’s a part of our history.”
“The hangar is one of the still-standing structures that was here on Dec. 7, 1941,” explains Rodney Bengston, director of ex- hibits, restoration and curatorial services.
“It’s an interesting structure and historically significant as an artifact because it’s pretty much intact and still functioning,” Bengston adds.
The nonprofit museum was awarded a $1 million challenge grant from an anonymous donor, who offered a dollar-for-dollar match. Total costs will be up- ward of $4 million for the en- tirety of the roof, with $2 mil- lion allotted to address the most
The two large hangar doors are
But functionality doesn’t equate to being in tip-top shape, so Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is cur-
SEE PAGE 13
(Top) Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum executive director Elissa Lines and Rodney Bengston, director of exhibits, restoration and curatorial services, stand within the Hangar 79 facility.
(Above) Restored aircrafts of all kinds can be found within and outside of Hangar 79.