April 18, 2005
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BISHOP MUSEUM TO HOST “SALUTE TO THE TROOPS” ON MAY 1, 2005

HONOLULU – In tribute to Hawaii’s armed services, Bishop Museum is set to host its “Salute to the Troops” on Sunday, May 1, 2005 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The day will feature live entertainment and activities that will bring families together to celebrate the men and women who protect our nation’s freedom.

Salute to the Troops, sponsored in part by Marcoa Publishing, will feature hot rod and racing car displays from the Hawai‘i Motor Speedway and Hawai‘i Raceway Park, and all of Museum's galleries and tours will be open showcasing the best of Hawaiian culture with special storytelling, song, and dance. Activities for kids include Polynesian voyaging canoe-making and a whale "blubber" experiment. Event-goers also will be treated to viewings of the Museum’s newest planetarium show, “Deep Impact, Rendezvous with a Comet,” and an unveiling of images taken from the Hubble Space Telescope that is celebrating its 15th anniversary.

Live entertainment includes Sony recording country artist Dita Holifield, the Pacific Fleet Band, Kona, Oahu Line Dancers, and Star 101.9 will be on the Great Lawn from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with its jackpot machine and prize giveaways, including the chance to win a car! KHCM Country Radio DJ, Charlie Garrett will emcee the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bishop Museum members, military personnel and dependants with proper I.D., and children under 4 are free. General admission is $3.

A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage, Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years; special rates for kama‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.