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Berlin Wall Freedom Monument
Only three sites in the United States hold sections of the Berlin Wall. HCC is proud to be one of them. The following text is from the monument's dedication program on February 10, 1992.
The Berlin Wall stood for 28 years as a symbol of division, oppression, and death. It divided the country, the continent, and the world between the people in East and West Berlin.
In 1989, the East German government, responding to continuing world pressure, allowed the wall to come down and Germany to be reunified. The momentous dismantling of the Berlin Wall gave new meaning to what the wall represented for so long. Today, the fallen wall stands for peace, unity, and freedom.
Honolulu Community College is proud to have been given a large section of the Berlin Wall. The "Freedom Monument" that now stands on campus once stood in the heart of divided Berlin.
The designers of the Freedom Monument were inspired to create a simple and dynamic design that represents a reminder of the past and hope for the future.
The original 12-foot high, three-ton section of the Berlin Wall has been erected the way it stood in Berlin, the graffiti-covered side facing the West and the stark, drab side of the wall facing East. The East side proved a barrier of death or life-long imprisonment for many who attempted escape.
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Four-foot wide concrete walls now flank each side of the original wall fragment, to provide a feeling of the wall's massiveness and scale. To protect and preserve the monument, unobtrusive glass encloses the original section of the wall. The round element on top of the monument copies an element from the original wall as it stood in Berlin, adding a sense of realism and connecting the three sections of the monument. The pattern in the square pavement on the West side reflects the "fallen wall," with river rocks placed in the East side's pavement to represent the unapproachability of the wall from that side. A circle of pavement surrounds the entire monument symbolizing the unification of Germany.
Opening Of The Wall
Royal Hawaiian Band
Introduction
Atina Pascua, Director of Student Life and Development, Honolulu Community College
Unveiling
Rick Ziegler, Instructor of History and American Studies, Honolulu Community College
Dedication/Blessing
Reverend D. Twigg, Kaumakapili Church
Opening Address
Dr. Volker Andig, Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
Keynote Address
Senator Daniel Inouye, State of Hawaii
Benediction
Reverend D. Twigg, Kaumakapili Church
Acknowledgements
Honolulu Community College
After conceptualizing the idea of bringing a portion of the Berlin Wall to Hawaii, students and faculty pulled together to bring their dream to life.
Architects Hawaii, Ltd.
Contributed generously of its time and design expertise to create the monument.
Fletcher Pacific Construction Co. Ltd.
Supplied manpower and coordinated the donation of building materials for the construction of the monument.
The German Benevolent Society of Honolulu
Arranged to ship the wall from Germany.
Sea Land Service
Provided storage space for the wall during the design and pre-construction phase.
Additional Contributors
- SSFM Engineers Inc.
- Honolulu Transfer and Storage
- Hawaiian Crane and Rigging Ltd.
- Kalu Glass Co., Ameron HC&D
- Associated Steel Workers, Ltd.
- High-Tech Building Products
- Wire Products of Hawaii Inc.
- Professional Image
- Augie Salbosa Photography
- J.M. Sueda Inc.
- T. Oki Trading, Ltd.
- Hawaii Sun Control
- Hawaiian Cement
- B&C Trucking Co. Ltd.
- Natural Slate
- Ameritone Paint Corp.
- Jackson Contractors