JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- The Gathering Place recently celebrated a grand reopening following a three day renovation.
The Gathering Place, which is located in King Hall Dormitory, provides a comfortable alcohol and smoke free, home-like environment in which young Airmen can socialize with peers.
The Gathering Place was created in 2001, when then Hickam Chaplain James Richey came up with the idea that young, single Airmen needed a place to hang out and get to know one another.
Armed with his dream and help from volunteers and the Friends of Hickam, The Gathering place became a reality.
Today, the Gathering Place continues to be one of the many key programs run by the chapel. The most recent renovations were done to update and refresh the facility.
“The Gathering Place is an Airmen’s ministry center that is here to foster a sense of community, spiritual growth, develop leaders and cultivate service to others geared toward new Airmen as they transition into the Air Force,” said Chaplain David Haltom, The Gathering Place chaplain.
According to Haltom, the Gathering Place has received more than $32K in updates.
The location is furnished with Wi-Fi, a gaming room with a large LCD television, video game consoles, games, a movie lounge area with a large LCD television, surround sound, cable and a large selection of movies. A large outdoor entertainment lanai is also available.
In addition to entertainment, the new Gathering Place offers a fully operable kitchen and coffee bar.
Though the chapel oversees operations of the Gathering Place, the program utilizes volunteers from various organizations to support the mission.
One way organizations help provide support is through the weekly meal served on Tuesday evening.
"The units that provide meals each week are building morale and it really helps strengthen [Airmen’s] spirit and continue the building of an authentic community," said Haltom.
For more information or volunteer opportunities, visit or call The Gathering Place at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gathering-Place-JBPHH/1399031930394806 or 910-574-3346.