Research Institute for Hawaii.USA: RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR HAWAII.USA PRESENTS LIBERTY AWARD TO PEARL HARBOR NAVAL SHIPYARD

RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR HAWAII.USA PRESENTS LIBERTY AWARD TO PEARL HARBOR NAVAL SHIPYARD

Founder Presents $76,000 Donation to Aid Centennial

The Research Institute for Hawaii.USA presented its 2nd Annual Liberty Award to the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard at an awards dinner Friday Evening, July 20th at the Pacific Aviation Museum. The Liberty Award celebrates our freedom and independence and recognizes those who have contributed to safety and liberty in the 50th State. The second annual Liberty Award was proudly presented by the Research Institute for Hawaii.USA President Andy Blom to patriotically honor the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as it prepares for its Centennial Celebration in 2008.

"From the near miraculous turnaround of the carrier USS Yorktown that helped win the Battle of Midway... to the critical role the Shipyard plays in keeping our fleet ready and at sea in the Pacific and Indian Oceans...to the important role it plays in the Hawaiian economy and keeping Hawaiian families together... The Naval Shipyard has distinguished itself as an outstanding contributor to our state and our nation, " commented Mr. Blom on presenting the award to Captain Greg Thomas, Shipyard Commanding Officer. "The Research Institute for Hawaii. USA recognizes those contributions with a Liberty Award dedicated to all officers, hands and employees of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard past, present and future for their contributions to freedom, safety and economic growth in Hawaii. It is time Pearl Harbor was remembered for 100 years of success, not only one day of tragedy."

Capt. Gregory Thomas, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Commander, and Research Institute for Hawaii.USA Founding President Christopher Haig display the Liberty Award presented to the Shipyard by the institute.

Others on stage for the presentation are (from left) Ben Toyama, representing the Metal Trades Council; Wayne Wilcox, Chapter President, Federal Managers Association; Randy Sawyer, Shipyard Executive Staff Director; Edward Han, Chapter President, National Association of Superintendents; and Andresen Blom, Acting President, Research Institute for Hawaii.USA.

Research Institute Founding President Christopher Damon Haig presented a $76,000 check to help support the educational research on the Shipyard's US Centennial Celebration. Mr. Haig called on the audience, which included Shipyard employees and officers as well as dignitaries from the State Legislature, Bishop Museum, past Liberty Award recipients, and Hawaii Business and Civic leaders to:

"Appreciate the great accomplishments of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, the enormous impact it has had on Hawaii's history... the significant contributions it makes to our safety, security and economy...and to look with creativity and possibility thinking to how we can all work together to celebrate the U.S. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard Centennial to build a glorious future for safer progress, with more secure freedoms for the United States and the world."

"We are twice honored this evening," commented Captain Greg R. Thomas, USN, Commander, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard on accepting the award. "We very much appreciate the recognition given us by the Institute and thank them for their very generous gift."

Complementing the Liberty Awards evening was a presentation by the Research Institute's Founding President Christopher Damon Haig with a $76,000 contribution towards more educational research for Pearl Harbor Shipyard's Centennial Celebration in May 2008! Mr. Haig welcomed additional contributions from other U.S. citizens, who are able to give to these patriotic causes.

Christopher Haig (far right), founder and past president of the Research Institute for Hawaii.USA, presents a $76,000 check as "seed money" to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard nonprofit organizations to help prepare for the Shipyard's Centennial in 2008.

Accepting are (from left) Randy Sawyer, Shipyard Executive Staff Director and Centennial Planning Committee Director; Ben Toyama, representing the Metal Trades Council; Edward Han, Chapter President, National Association of Superintendents; and Wayne Wilcox, Chapter President, Federal Managers Association.

The evening event included docent led tours of the Pacific Aviation Museum, a sit down dinner with Hawaiian music by Ko Kawena Himeni, and entertainment by Halau Ku'u Wa Hula.

Incubating research on such diverse projects as baseball in Hawaii, Hawaiian Maritime History, and the impact of early American teaching and educational materials such as the Young Americans for Government and Law on the Hawaiian Monarchy, the Research Institute for Hawaii.USA is a 501c (3) non profit foundation dedicated to researching and publishing findings on literary legal precedents in United States/Hawaiian constitutional history.