Fun in Hawaii - Navy's Morale Welfare and Recreation department helps sailors enjoy state

All Hands, May, 2002 by Aaron Ansarov

Ahhh, Hawaii, One of the most amazing states in the country when it comes to just about anything recreational. Whether you're into skydiving, kayaking or mountain biking, this is the place for you.

There's snorkeling, surfing and deep sea fishing, if that's what floats your boat. You can even go hiking, horseback riding or just take a sunset stroll on the beach.

Most Sailors stationed here say without a doubt that if you can't have fun here, you are in definite need of help. And you can get that at the Navy's Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Liberty/Outdoor Department at Pearl Harbor.

"We probably do more [event scheduling] than any other place in the world," said Ken Cornia, the outdoor recreation specialist for MWR in Pearl Harbor. "We like to call ourselves industrial strength programming." He can back that claim up with the plethora of events he has scheduled year round. "We don't normally have an off-season like other places, because the weather here is beautiful all year long."

Great weather makes for great fun outdoors, and one of the major activities military members like to do is learn to sail. Sailing lessons and certification are offered through MWR every weekend.

"We get anywhere from four to 20 military personnel a week wanting to learn how to sail, and we are ready to teach them and even get them certified;' said Mike Cervantes, the assistant sailing instructor. Certification costs around $100, but single Sailors can get certified for free through MWR's Single Sailor Program.

"This is a great place for Single Sailors, and any military member, to come and learn how to sail and get certified without it costing a great deal;' said Equipment Operator 1st Class Blake Kessler, a reservist called to active duty in Hawaii. "Granted, you can learn to sail just about anywhere there's water, but what better place to learn than on the crystal blue waters of Hawaii."

Another big outdoor attraction is the Navy-Marine Corps Golf Course, located near the Honolulu International Airport. Sometimes called the "Pearl of the Pacific," this 54-year-old golf course features lavish greens to play on. It's rated as one of the top 10 military courses in the United States. "This is a lovely course, and I try to play on it once a week;' said Richard Yasuda, a National Guardsman stationed in Hawaii.

Along with the normal recreational events that MWR schedules almost every day for Sailors stationed here, they also cater to every Navy ship that visits this majestic place with its utopian atmosphere. "We are very unique, because of the [number] of ships from around the world that make port calls to our base. We get battle groups on a regular basis, and since the start of our war against terrorism, we are seeing [many] more," Cornia said. MWR can service hundreds of Sailors at a time, with various programs -- sometimes five in one day when a carrier is in port.

Recently USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) pulled into Hawaii for a five-day stay, and the MWR staff went into full swing to make sure the crew had plenty of exciting things to see and do. The MWR staff set up eight different tours and activities for the crew. Each event ran the same time every day, giving everyone a chance to enjoy what Hawaii has to offer.

Activities included hiking, hiking, snorkeling, surfing and horseback riding. "I tried to fit in all of the different activities that I could on my days off," said Seaman Dustin Gustafson, a Carl Vinson Sailor. "There was so much to see and do -- it was great. Hopefully I'll get to come back on leave and spend a week or two here," he added.

If taking leave in Hawaii sounds like fun, the Morale Welfare and Recreation Center, along with the military's Hale Koa Hotel, makes Hawaii an affordable vacation spot. MWR can help you plan your vacation activities, and they offer discounts ranging from 20 to 50 percent off the regular price.

The Hale Koa Hotel offers the splendor and spectacle of ancient Hawaiian traditions, but at a price that Sailors can afford. All hotel rates are based on military rank. This world-class resort sits on 72 lush tropical acres, and it borders the beach at Waikiki. The beaches are well kept and very clean. "They are not crowded, with people practically lying on top of one another, like I'Ve seen at other beaches:' said Air Force Maj. Mark Christensen.

The rooms at the Hale Koa offer amazing and inspiring views of the Pacific Ocean and the majestic beauty of the Ko'olau mountain range. "This is definitely the place for military members to stay at a great price," said Air Force 1st It. Jonathan Boling. "My wife, Amy, and I are on our honeymoon, and I can't think of a better place to be than in gorgeous Hawaii. "What a paradise! The hotel is beautiful, too. We have a very nice room on the top floor."

The Moral Welfare and Recreation Center at Pearl Harbor lives up to its motto -- "We're here for you" -- by providing a wide range of exceptional programs and activities at discounted prices. So, if your ship is coming in to Hawaii, or you're able to take leave in this paradise, be assured that fun is just a visit or phone call away.