HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE
This was
our home for most of our time in Hawaii. It was built in 1937,
and like most homes in the islands, it had no central air or heat.
This area of military housing was placed on the National Historic
Register in 1987.
Although there had been some upgrades to the house (a second
bathroom added,
the original bathroom modernized, the kitchen updated and some
improvements
to the wiring), in general, it was much as it must have been when
first built.
People in the 1930's and 40's must have had very little
difficulty in picking out what
to wear - Bill's uniforms by themselves would not have fit into
one of the original closets!
In spite of the inconveniences, it was a very comfortable home,
with a banana tree
in the back yard, and a beautiful pulmeria tree in the front.
Elsewhere on base,
we were able to pick avocados, tangerines, mangoes, and lemons.
The "Freedom Tower" was visible from our back yard. Although it is really an old water tower, the story told is that during World War II, when so much damage was done to all of the military facilities on Oahu, this tower was believed to be a shrine by the attackers, and so was spared. Now, it is used to begin the holiday season every year by being decorated as the largest Christmas tree in Hawaii.
The POW/MIA
Memorial was constructed and dedicated during our stay at Hickam.
It stands at the entrance to Pearl Harbor.
This photograph was taken just outside our back door. Although cardinals are not normally so accepting of people, this particular bird and another red-crested cardinal became very trusting - and demanding - of me. When I walked out the door, they would immediately fly in and remind me that it was time for me to feed them! I hope the next residents were bird lovers too!
