Museum gets Zero's ruins

Aviation Museum gets Zero's ruins


By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The owners of Ni'ihau have loaned to the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor the remains of a Japanese Zero that was part of the attack that bombed Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, and which crash-landed on the small island later that day.
The story of the Japanese aircraft became a part of Hawaiian folklore — nicknamed "The Battle of Ni'ihau"— after the pilot terrorized the Ni'ihau community and was killed after repeatedly shooting Ni'ihau native Beni Kanahele, who survived the gunshot wounds.
Museum executive director Allan Palmer said there is not much left of the plane, an A6M2 Type 21 bomber. The U.S. Navy reportedly took the engine and other critical parts shortly after the events. Ni'ihau co-owner Keith Robinson said the main things going to the museum are parts of the wings.

But the museum also has a complete Zero of the same model that is in good condition, Palmer said.

The Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, on Ford Island, is scheduled to open on Dec. 7 this year, the 65th anniversary of the 1941 attack. There will be a special exhibit of Ni'ihau's place in the history of the war, Palmer said.

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