It housed some three dozen Catalina “flying boats,” aircraft that could take off from water, also known as PBYs. Kaneohe was an aerial patrol and reconnaissance base that monitored the waters around Hawaii. The Japanese were seeking to knock out possible American air defenses to clear their way as they attacked Pearl Harbor and to prevent their own aircraft carriers from being located and attacked. Located on the windward coast of the island, 12 miles from Honolulu over the steep and jagged Koolau mountain ridge, it may have been the first military base on American soil attacked by the Japanese, the first raid occurring nearly simultaneously with the assault on Wheeler Air Force Base, a few minutes before the coordinated strike on Pearl Harbor itself. Kaneohe is one of the least-known of the significant World War II sites, even though it was one of the most important. This map of Kaneohe Naval Air Station shows the configuration of the hangars in July 1941, with Hangar 2, the scene of great bravery, first renamed Hangar 3, and later, Hangar 103. Marine Corps officials said they are doing it for safety reasons, to modernize, to meet other government regulations or to redevelop the sites. The demolition of the hangar is part of a significant redevelopment of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, where officials are systematically eliminating many buildings that were there during World War II. “I’m not surprised to hear military historians are distressed that a significant World War II resource is being proposed for demolition, but this is also an active military installation and that’s an active runway and airfield.” “When you look at our hangars, we have been able to reuse them for several decades now,” she said. June Cleghorn, the base’s senior cultural resources manager, said base officers have preserved and managed to retain World War II-era buildings for many years, but the buildings are no longer viable for military operations. “We have operational requirements to support.” “The reality is Marine Corps Base Hawaii is on a peninsula with limited space,” said 1 st Lt. They said removal of the buildings, including Hangar 103, would open up space, allow new construction and make it easier and safer for aircraft to maneuver on the ground. Marine Corps representatives said the changes are necessary to make room for new aircraft that meet modern military needs. It has asked the military to consider “additional efforts” to mitigate the potential damage. The State Historic Preservation Division has raised numerous questions about the Marine Corps’ plans as it reviews the environmental assessment that is required for the project. In an email, the Historic Hawaii Foundation said it “strongly opposes” the proposed demolition of the hangar and has asked the Marine Corps to consider alternate sites for the construction plans. “I understand why they feel compelled to do this but as a historian, I think it is an absolute disaster.” “It hurts my heart,” said World War II historian J. Why would you take down our military history?” “I’m shocked they are trying to do that,” said Daniel Martinez, chief historian at the National Park Service’s Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Hangars are visible on the southwest part of the peninsula. Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe and neighboring town of Kailua, viewed from the air. Military historians were particularly dismayed to learn of the Marine Corps’ plans to demolish the legendary hangar. More historic buildings would be torn down under another proposal. The Marine Corps wants to tear down the hangar, which is on the edge of the Kaneohe Naval Air Station national historic district, to create new facilities for an incoming fleet of drones and aerial refueling craft. A cluster of historic buildings is being slated for demolition at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, including an aircraft hangar - then known as Hangar 2, now as Hangar 103 - where one of the first great acts of World War II heroism took place on Dec.
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