Arizona Memorial
decision is delayed

A House resolution urges the
removal of a retail operation
near the memorial

CORRECTION Tuesday, March 29, 2005 » The Arizona Memorial Museum Association is not considering having for-profit businesses as part of a new visitors center being planned to open in 2008. A Page A3 story Saturday incorrectly said for-profit operations were being considered as part of the new center. An editorial on Page A14 on Friday implied a connection between the nonprofit Arizona visitors center and the for-profit operation adjacent to the center. The association has said it will address concerns raised over the existing for-profit venture on Navy land near the memorial as it moves forward with plans for a new visitors center. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.

State lawmakers have put off a decision on whether the Legislature should ask the Navy to remove a commercial retail operation on Navy land near the USS Arizona Memorial.

The request is contained in a nonbinding resolution that was heard this week in the House Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee.

Committee Chairman Ken Ito (D, Heeia-Kaneohe), who co-sponsored the resolution, said he wanted to allow for more discussion between all parties involved in the matter.

Ito said he also wanted to get more information from the Navy, U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and others about the venture operated by Pearl Harbor Visitor Center Inc.

"We just want to bring all the parties together," Ito said.

Pearl Harbor Visitor Center has received mixed reviews since it opened operations beneath a 5,000-square-foot tent on land between the Arizona Memorial Visitors Center and the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum.

Supporters, including tourists and tour operators, say the facility provides much-needed space and food services for the roughly 1.5 million annual visitors, who often wait hours before boarding boats to the memorial.

Critics include Pearl Harbor survivors, veterans groups and members of Hawaii's congressional delegation, who call the 1942-themed retail center too crass to be within a national park that honors the more than 2,000 people who died in the Dec. 7, 1941, sneak attack.

The House resolution asks the Navy to remove the retail operation and replace it with a nonprofit visitors center that would serve as a "gateway" to all of the visitor attractions at Pearl Harbor.

Officials with the Arizona Memorial Museum Association have said they will consider having some for-profit businesses in a new visitors facility that is expected to open in 2008.