WWI CENTENNIAL SCHEDULE BELOW
Schedule is subject to change.
The entire day will be full of free to the public activities ranging from live bagpipers joining a nationwide mass rendition of the retreat march, a WWI Film Festival, static historic displays and free concerts by the Marine Forces Pacific Band, Royal Hawaiian Band, Raiatea Helm and the Harry James Orchestra.
PARKING IS AVAILABLE AT LOTS NEAR KCC
FREE TROLLEY SERVICE FROM 7 AM – 10 PM
6:00 am – Battle’s O’er Worldwide Bagpipe Tribute – Celtic Kula Pipe Band (shown here)
A nationwide, mass playing of the retreat march, When the Battle’s O’er, outside cathedrals and other locations.
9:00 am – WWI History Museum and Film Festival Opens
Open to public with exhibits and costumed re-enactors from the Hawaii Historic Arms Association, Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame, Hawaii State Library, Red Cross of Hawaii, Friends of the Natatorium and others. Historians will be on hand for talk story and Q&A.
9:00 am – Talk Story: Anita Manning, WWI Centennial Historian
9:30 am – FILM: Lafayette Escadrille Preview (10 mins.)
Short preview of the first comprehensive documentary about the Lafayette Escadrille, the all-true story of the American pilots who volunteered to fly for France in World War I.
9:30 am – Talk Story: Sonny Tanabe, US Olympic Swimmer & Historian
9:45 am – FILM: A Soldier’s Journey Short Film Premier (10 mins.)
A Premier of the US World War I Commission sponsored short film, telling the story of World War I through sculpture being created by Sabin Howard for the National World War I Memorial.
10:00 am – FILM: The Tank (46 mins.) + Saving the War Memorial Natatorium (4 mins.)
The Tank is a 2016 documentary film about Hawaii’s WWI Memorial, the Natatorium, gives the history of the memorial and a peek inside the gates locked since 1979.
Following, is a short film created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation to urge citizen action as the City of Honolulu prepares to release an Environmental Impact Statement that will determine the fate of the War Memorial Natatorium.
10:00 am – Talk Story: Keith Arakaki, Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee
10:00 am – Vintage Aviation Airshow and Flyover
Stunning display of vintage aircraft passing over and around the site of the commemoration the Waikiki NatatoriumWar Memorial.
10:15 am – Rolling Thunder Motorcycles to Arrive with Bagpipe Salute
10:30 am – Musical Prelude by 111th Army Band
11:00 am – Bells of Peace Statewide Commemoration of Armistice 100th
Honoring the moment when the Armistice went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Churches and temples are asked to sound their bells 21 times in 5 second intervals. More information here.
11:02 am – Hawaii State Armistice 100th / Veteran’s Day Service
Welcome Remarks – Daniel Martinez, Chief Historian, National Parks Service
Joint Service Color Guard & National Anthem, Hawaii Ponoi
Invocation – LTC Mueller
Centennial Historical Significance – 100 years ago the fighting of WWI ceased
2 Minutes of Silence at 11:11am
Poem, On Flanders Field – First Lady, Dawn Ige
Parade of Flags
Hula Halau Olana
Remarks – State Adjutant General, Major General Arthur J. Logan
Speaker – Mayor Kirk Caldwell
Speaker – Governor David Ige
Wreath Presentation by US Indo-Pacific Command and each branch of the military
12:20 pm – F-22 Flyover Concludes the Ceremony
The ceremony will draw to a close with the playing of the bagpipes by Celtic Kula Pipe Band and a flyover of F-22 Fighter Planes.
12:30 pm – Musical Postlude by 111th Army Band
12:30 pm – FILM: Pershing’s Path to Glory (40 mins.)
A new documentary film that traces the story of Blackjack Pershing, the General who led American forces in World War I.
1:00 pm – Talk Story: Sonny Tanabe, US Olympic Swimmer & Historian
1:30 pm – FILM: Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero (1 hr. 24 mins.)
Animated film tells the true story about a dog and his Doughboy in World War I. An ideal draw to bring entire families and their kids into the commemoration of the Armistice.
1:30 pm – Talk Story: Keith Arakaki, Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame Inductee
1:45 pm – Lion Dance by Yeung Dak
2:00 pm – Marine Forces Pacific Band Concert
2:00 pm – Talk Story: Anita Manning, WWI Centennial Historian
2:00 pm – Royal Hawaiian Band Concert at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand
The beloved band will play a program of patriotic music to celebrate the WWI Centennial.
3:00 pm – FILM: Hello Girls (55 mins.)
A new documentary of the inspiring story about the first women to serve in the US Army and their 60-year struggle to get their veteran’s benefits and their 100-year struggle for deserved recognition.
3:15 pm – Emmalani Serenaders – Singing WWI Era Songs
4:00 pm – Raiatea Helm Concert on the Centennial Main Stage
Program of old-Hawaii classics and compositions by WWI veteran, beloved composer, R.A. Anderson.
5:00 pm – FILM: The Millionaires Unit (2 hrs.)
Award-winning documentary about a privileged group of students from Yale who formed a private air militia in preparation for America’s entry into WWI. They became the founding squadron of the U.S. Naval Air Reserve, first to fly for the United States in the war.
6:45 pm – Harry James Orchestra Concert and Dance on the Centennial Main Stage (shown here)
WWI-era tunes followed by their trademark sound, WWII-era and big band jazz. A large dance floor is available for those who want to get into the swing.
8:45 pm – Fireworks Display Over theWar Memorial Natatorium
Stunning off-site fireworks will bloom to mark the end of the Armistice Commemoration