In 1996, Midway Atoll—the location of the infamous WWII Battle of Midway—was transferred from the Dept. of Defense to Dept. of the Interior, which partnered with Midway Phoenix Corporation (MPC) to renovate the historical base, and open it up for veteran + eco-tourism. The visitor program—to be led by MPC—would pay for the ongoing management of the atoll at near zero cost to U.S. taxpayers.
Pacific Phoenix, the construction company contracted for the historical preservation project, was led by owner + veteran builder, Joe Pandolfe, and his son + project manager, Mike Pandolfe, while I served as a Superintendent & Carpenter, 1997-1998.
This job came about just by chance. I was already working for Pacific Phoenix doing T.I. projects (apartments + hotels) and building seawalls to manage tidal flow on Wake Island. But was sent to the atoll to take over for Stan Laidlaw, who served in the same roles, 1996-1997, after he tore his achilles tendon playing basketball in the old gym on Midway.
We transformed the military barracks into hotel rooms while preserving their historical integrity. They were in dire need of repair after half a century of neglect and harsh weather. I was heavily involved in the renovation of the two-story officer’s quarters (within the original historical footprint) as well.
Also instrumental in the ground-up construction (including custom framing) of the Clipper House, a beachfront restaurant designed for a husband + wife team of chefs hired to support MPC’s visitor program.
As a lead carpenter on the construction of the boardwalk connecting the restaurant with nearby buildings including a new bar (built by MPC too), I was hands-on with all the custom woodworking.
After more than two years, the initial Midway project—covered by Smithsonian Magazine—was complete, and the atoll conservatively opened for tourism.
It was an honor working on this project to rehabilitate such an important part of our history commemorating all who fought to hold the line there including those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
After the loss of Joe Pandolfe, I continued to work with his son, Mike Pandolfe, and Stan Laidlaw, for many years, and through various companies, Mike with LWP Group (see Pearl, Martin, Carnegie Projects on Commercial page), and Stan Laidlaw with Hollister Construction and Laidlaw Building & Development (see Library + Grainger Stores on Commercial page and Kauai Custom on Residential page).
I had no idea how special it was to be on the atoll as it’s been closed to the public for many years now. I hope Midway will be saved before it’s too late. History should be preserved for future generations.
SO, WHAT HAPPENED?
Following two years of new construction and historical rehabilitation (1996-1998), Midway Phoenix Corporation successfully—and beautifully—maintained the atoll for another four years, (1998-2002), and it was paying for itself through the visitor program, as planned, including free travel for reps of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) involved with the conservation program on the atoll.
However, due to irreconcilable differences with FWS, which made it increasingly difficult—and eventually impossible—to run the visitor program or cover the costs of ongoing maintenance + historical preservation without paying out of pocket, MPC was forced to abandon the previously self-sustaining venture on May 1, 2002.
The atoll has since fallen into severe disrepair.
Under the stewardship of FWS, many historic buildings have collapsed and/or been demolished despite the agency’s public promises to transfer management to another third party, which has never happened.
From 2002-2014, FWS had spent on Midway $110 million in taxpayer dollars, so who knows how high that number is at this point. It’s unclear where the funds are being spent as historical buildings continue to disappear at an alarming rate and without notice.
If you’d like to learn more about the MPC project and what’s happened since, here’s a powerfully accurate video, Midway Island - A Battle Lost To U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.