Through an agreement announced on the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the Owens Corning Foundation committed $100,000 to support the Concrete Preservation Institute (CPI) Career Skills Program, presently engaged in a multi-year restoration of historic Pearl Harbor Battleship Row mooring quays. California State University, Chico-based CPI is bringing to Hawaii skills and practice demonstrated during concrete restoration at Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.
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| Joining Concrete Preservation Institute CEO Tanya Komas at a representative Pearl Harbor structure are, from left, Owens Corning Materials Expert Mikhail Vorobiev, CPI Vice President and Director of Operations Scott Burghardt, and Owens Corning Foundation President Don Rettig. |
Owens Corning will donate fiberglass composites for use in quay retrofits, while company volunteers provide materials expertise. “CPI’s Career Skills Program gives us a great opportunity to help the men and women of our military transition to civilian life,” says Owens Corning Foundation President Don Rettig. “Starting this relationship and work with CPI on National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day makes it especially meaningful.”
“Launching the program this year, the 75th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack, highlights the importance of honoring the past,” adds CPI President and Founding Director Dr. Tanya Wattenburg Komas. “We are honored to help preserve this monument while contributing to meaningful veteran employment that addresses a national workforce development need for skilled trades and management in all areas of construction, including repair of infrastructure.”
Career Skills is the first program to be approved by the U.S. Army and the only one focused on concrete. Service members from any military branch can participate in the Pearl Harbor works at no cost due to program partnerships, donations and grants. Active-duty service members can enroll in CPI’s three yearly, 12-week, hands-on sessions for the Battleship Row mooring quays. They will learn about concrete, construction and restoration while helping preserve one of the country’s most important historical sites.
CPI will work with the National Park Service to determine the proper preservation approach and then contribute concrete repair and material systems expertise. When appropriate, the Institute may include the use of advanced reinforcing materials within the concrete system to ensure durability.