Pacific Historic Parks Launches Its New Name at Historic National Parks in Pearl Harbor, Saipan, Guam and Kalaupapa

HONOLULU, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arizona Memorial Museum Association (AMMA) made its own history today as the 31-year old non-profit organization officially changed its name to PACIFIC HISTORIC PARKS (PHP) http://pacifichistoricparks.org/ at the four National Parks it provides interpretive, educational and visitor activity support for. The sites include the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument http://pacifichistoricparks.org/phh.php at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; American Memorial Park http://pacifichistoricparks.org/amp.php on Saipan; War in the Pacific National Historical Park http://pacifichistoricparks.org/wip.php on Guam; and Kalaupapa National Historical Park http://pacifichistoricparks.org/kalaupapa.php on the island of Molokai, Hawaii.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100601/LA13729)

PHP was formed in 1979 as a non-profit cooperating association with the National Park Service to support and fund educational programs, museum displays and exhibits, and interpretive programs for the USS Arizona Memorial. Many charter members of PHP, originally from the Fleet Reserve Association, had been involved in the fundraising for the construction of the USS Arizona Memorial in 1961 and the original Visitor Center in 1980.

PHP grew over the years to support interpretive and visitor activities at three additional national parks:  American Memorial Park on Saipan, War in the Pacific National Historical Park on Guam, and Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the island of Molokai.  Recently, PHP has served as the lead fundraiser for the $58 million reconstruction and expansion of the new visitor center and museum at Pearl Harbor scheduled for completion in December 2010.

"Our association's new name, Pacific Historic Parks, better reflects our expanded scope of support at historical sites through out the Pacific," said George Sullivan, Chairman of the Board, Pacific Historic Parks.  "Although our name has changed, our mission remains the same.  We will continue to preserve and support these historical landmarks to ensure visitors for generations to come will have a full appreciation and understanding of the events and sacrifices of the people involved in the sites we serve."

In partnership with the National Park Service, PHP develops and funds educational programs such as audio tours, teacher workshops, Junior Ranger programs, foreign language brochures and the Witness to History video conference program bringing WWII survivors, historians and curators right into the classrooms of students throughout the world.  PHP funded preservation projects include archiving oral histories of World War II survivors and historical photos, scientific dives beneath the USS Arizona Memorial and resource protection at National Park site facilities.

Pacific Historic Parks supports its interpretation and visitor service activities through the operation of bookstores at each of the park sites and its public membership program. PHP Sites include:

American Memorial Park – Saipan

http://pacifichistoricparks.org/amp.php

Located on Saipan, the American Memorial Park honors the American and Marianas people who gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II.  Over 6000 names are inscribed in memorials at the park's Court of Honor, Flag Circle and the Marianas Memorial.  Within its 133-acre boundary, the park serves as a "living memorial," offering activities such as baseball, bicycling, running, tennis, picnicking, and swimming, enjoyed over half a century ago by American service men and women.

War in the Pacific National Historical Park– Guam

http://pacifichistoricparks.org/wip.php

Located in the U.S. Territory of Guam, the War in the Pacific National Historical Park commemorates the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in the battles of the Pacific Theater during World War II, as well as the suffering of the native peoples of those islands.  The park consists of seven different historic battle sites, over 1,000 acres of ocean preserve adjacent to the invasion beaches and the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park – Molokai, Hawaii

http://pacifichistoricparks.org/kalaupapa.php

Located on the north shore of the island of Molokai, the 10,700+ acre Kalaupapa National Historical Park preserves the historic Hansen's disease settlements of Kalaupapa and Kalawao made famous through the work of St. Damien. Hansen's disease patients living in Kalaupapa and elsewhere keep the history of the settlement alive through their memories and experiences.

World War II Valor in the Pacific – Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

http://pacifichistoricparks.org/phh.php

Located at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument includes the USS Arizona Memorial, USS Utah Memorial, USS Oklahoma Memorial and other significant WWII sites.  The USS Arizona Memorial, which straddles the sunken battleship, is dedicated to remembering all those who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On shore side, the new $58 million Pearl Harbor Visitor Center and Museum scheduled for completion in December 2010, features more than 6 acres of landscaped grounds, wayside exhibits and a 24,000 square foot visitor center, museum and education and resource center.

For more information, visit www.pacifichistoricparks.org or call (808) 954-8777.

SOURCE Pacific Historic Parks