Elvis’ Fans Step Up

The 1961 Benefit concert at Bloch Arena that Elvis, Scotty and the rest performed helped raise public awareness for the construction efforts of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial and was very instrumental in effecting completion of the project.  Today, funding is generated through Pacific Historic Park's online retail sales and park site bookstores, audio tour programs, public membership support and fundraising campaigns. In early July the NavyTimes and Hawaii television station KHON reported how Elvis fans have stepped up in the cause to help raise much needed funds for the restoration of the Memorial at Pearl Harbor Hawaii:

Elvis in Hawaii with fans - March 25, 1961
Photo courtesy Navy Times

Fans of Elvis are friends of the Navy

In March 1961, Elvis played a concert in Hawaii to support the building of the memorial, which raised $64,000. Fans of the King continued to support the cause after his death.

More than 50 years later, the memorial is in need of close to $700,000 of renovations and Elvis fans are stepping up again. Pacific Historic Parks have teamed up with Elvis Presley Enterprises to raise money for the improvements, local television station KHON reported.

The renovations include new floors and adding names to the Shrine Wall, Jennifer Ujimori from Pacific History Parks told KHON.

Pacific Historic Parks is scheduled to receive a check from an Elvis Presley fan club in August at an event in Graceland, according to KHON. The memorial is also expecting to host about 750 Presley fans in January. A special event at the memorial is in the works to say thanks to fans for the help over the years.

“We just want to make it something memorable for them and their visit and to show them what Elvis did,” Ujimori added.

July 10th, 2012 by Jacqueline Klimas courtesy NavyTimes Scoopdeck

Two weeks ago, during "Elvis Week" in Memphis, Pacific Historic Parks was presented with a check to aid in that goal.  

Elvis, during the Aloha from Hawaii Concert - Jan 13, 1973
Photo © EPE, Inc.

Since January of 2013 will mark the 40th Anniversary of Elvis’ Aloha from Hawaii concert(s), Elvis Presley Enterprises has packaged several celebratory events there, including a special tour of the Memorial for the fans. A limited edition t-shirt will again be made exclusively by PHP, designed and printed in Hawaii, and offered for sale online.  The proceeds of which will further help fund the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial restorations.  Check back for more news about that and read more about the need for restorations here.

Page added August 30, 2012

See also Elvis Fans Worldwide Focus Fundraising Efforts on USS Arizona Memorial.

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