Ida Louise Hammer, age 13, Williamsport, question:

How did Pearl Harbor get its name?

Pearl Harbor is washed by the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Just north of Honolulu, it makes a groat bite into the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. In the past, these warm harbor waters were the home of pearl‑making oysters. This is hew Pearl Harbor got its name.

Later, it was found that this land‑locked bay had a greeter value than its pearls. As a harbor, it could provide shelter for the whole American fleet. In 1887, the U.S. was given rights to use the harbor of pearls as a fueling and repair station. Since 1906, the harbor has been the scene of dredging and building. And oysters do not thrive when their watery‑‑home is disturbed. Pearl Harbor is now one of the strongest naval bases in the world. It still keeps its name for the oysters which once thrived in its waters.